India is a "great example" of countries that the US is discussing arms purchases from it to wean them away from Russia and is ready for a response, says Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder.
The US understood that some countries that bought Russian or Soviet-era weapons want to maintain some type of relationship with Moscow, he said on Tuesday at a briefing in Washington.
But, he said, "from a security cooperation standpoint, certainly from the US perspective, I think that the types of security assistance the US provide to include capabilities is much more dependable and also maintained".
"We continue to discuss with various partners and allies around the world on would they -- should they -- choose to purchase those kinds of systems, we're certainly all ears, India being a great example," he added.
Ryder made those remarks in response to a question about South Africa holding joint naval exercises with Russia and China and if there were concerns about the information Washington shared with Pretoria.
Defence cooperation is "a sovereign decision for individual countries to make", he added.
India has been diversifying its defence sourcing and purchases from the US have increased ten-fold between 2016 and 2021, according to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute.
According to the institute in the five-year period ending 2021, India's imports of arms from Russia dropped by 47 per cent compared to the previous five-year period.
A dilemma for the US is that some of India's arms purchases like the S-400 missile defence system makes it liable for sanctions and it has withheld sanctions so far.
On the other hand, India also faces a dilemma with continuing arms purchases from Russia because of the performance of its weaponry's performance in the Ukraine war.
Earthquake of magnitude 5.1 hits Bay of Bengal, tremors felt in Kolkata
An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the Bay of Bengal early on Tuesday morning, with tremors being felt in Kolkata and several regions of West Bengal. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at 6.10 a.m. at a depth of 91 kilometres.
India abstains on resolutions on Ukraine amendments; US breaks with allies
India abstained on a series of resolutions on Ukraine and amendments at the General Assembly that saw the US break ranks with its Western allies and side with Russia on some of them showing the ruptures and realignments under President Donald Trump.
It’s in Russia’s benefit to end war in Ukraine, says Trump after meeting Macron
US President Donald Trump said it is to Russia’s “benefit” to make a deal and end the war against Ukraine and he thinks President Vladimir Putin does want to make a deal.
Maha farmers to get additional aid of Rs 3,000 annually under Namo Shetkari Sanman Nidhi Yojana
The Maharashtra government will provide additional subsidy of Rs 3,000 to farmers under its Namo Shetkari Sanman Nidhi Yojana. This will be in addition to the present level of Rs 6,000.
NIA cracks down on CPI (Maoist) network in Chhattisgarh political murder case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out searches at multiple locations associated with suspects linked to CPI (Maoist) in Chhattisgarh on Monday, in connection with the murder case of political leader Birju Ram Taram.
PM Modi unveils design of new integrated terminal building of Guwahati Airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled the design of the New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati at the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, officials said.
PM Modi’s tireless dedication to national development: A day of non-stop action across 3 states
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday showcased his unwavering commitment to the nation’s progress with a packed schedule that took him to three states -- Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam -- in a single day.
From being marshalled out to chairing the House: BJP’s Vijender Gupta elected Speaker of Delhi Assembly
A seasoned BJP leader, Vijender Gupta, was elected as the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Monday. A three-time MLA representing the Rohini constituency, Gupta has now taken on the crucial responsibility of presiding over the workings of the Delhi Assembly.