Responding to US Amabassador to India Eric Garcetti's "strategic autonomy" remarks following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said that "we have different views and the US Amabassador is entitled to his opinion".
While speaking at the Defence News Conclave organised by CUTS International in Kolkata on July 12, Garcetti had described the India-US ties as "deeper and widen than its ever been", but also stressed that it is "not deep enough" to be taken "for granted".
He further said that though he respects the fact that India likes strategic autonomy, but in times of conflict, there is "no such thing as strategic autonomy". Furthermore, he pitched for a stronger partnership between the two nations.
In view of these remarks by the US Envoy, Jaiswal said: "India, like many other countries, values its strategic autonomy. The US Ambassador is entitled to his opinion. We also have different views."
He added that the comprehensive global strategic partnership between India and US "gives us the space to agree to disagree on certain issue, while respecting each other's viewpoints."
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The MEA Spokesperson also commented on the India-USA relations, calling the global partnership "comprehensive and strategic".
Commenting on the discussion of issues between the two nations, he stated: "We have a lot of issues to discuss and both sides engage with each other on several aspects of the relationship, and we discuss all issues that are of interest to both parties. It is not our practice to share details of diplomatic conversations."
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Jaiswal also spoke about the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump at an election rally in Pennsylvania, earlier this month.
Stressing that violence has no place in democracies and politics, Jaiswal wished Trump a speedy recovery and expressed solidarity with the family of the deceased.
"We have seen reports of the attack on former US President Donald Trump. Within hours of the news, our PM expressed deep concerns on the attack and strongly condemned the incident. He had also pointed out that violence has no place in politics and democracies. He wished the former President a speedy recovery and expressed solidarity with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people. The US is a fellow democracy and we wish them well," the MEA Spokesperson said.