Former Pentagon official slams US hypocrisy over India's Russian oil deal
New Delhi: In a scathing assessment of American foreign policy, former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has attributed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent diplomatic success in India directly to the "gross incompetence" of Donald Trump. Speaking to the media, Rubin argued that a significant majority of Americans view the strengthening bond between New Delhi and Moscow as a failure of the current US administration.
Rubin, a vocal critic of the former US President, suggested that the perception of Putin's visit depends heavily on political alignment. He noted that while Trump might spin the narrative to suit his agenda, approximately 65% of the American public sees the event as a clear indicator of Trump's inability to maintain strategic partnerships. "What we are seeing now is the result of Donald Trump's gross incompetence," Rubin stated.
US Hypocrisy on Energy Needs
Beyond domestic US politics, Michael Rubin came to India's defense regarding the controversial topic of energy procurement. He labeled the United States "hypocritical" for lecturing India on buying discounted oil from Russia. Rubin pointed out that Washington continues to purchase goods and materials from Russia where alternative markets are unavailable, making their criticism of New Delhi unjust.
Rubin emphasized that Prime Minister PM Modi was elected to prioritize Indian interests, not American ones. With India poised to become the world’s third-largest economy, its energy demands are non-negotiable.
"If we do not want India to purchase Russian fuel, what are we going to do to provide fuel to India at a cheaper price?" Rubin asked, adding that if the US cannot provide a viable solution, they should respect India's need to secure its own economic stability.
Allegations of Bribery and Strategic Deficit
In a startling claim, the former official questioned the motivations behind Trump's reversal of strong India-US relations. He speculated that Trump's policy shifts might be influenced by "flattery" or even "bribery" involving Pakistan and its backers in Turkey and Qatar. Rubin warned that these decisions have created a "strategic deficit" that could burden America for decades.
These comments came as President Putin concluded a successful two-day visit to New Delhi, where he co-hosted the India-Russia Annual Summit and assured PM Modi of uninterrupted supplies of oil, gas, and coal to fuel India's rapid growth.
