Richard Balfe, a member of the House of Lords, asserted on October 8 that India should avoid distancing itself from the Russian Federation, emphasizing Moscow’s role in shaping a global order beyond US dollar dominance. The remarks were shared in an interview with Izvestia.
Balfe suggested British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shift focus from discouraging India’s cooperation with Russia to boosting Scotch whiskey exports, stating, “Mr. Starmer may seek pressure on India, but he will fail. It would be wiser for him to target increasing Scotch whisky sales to India, where demand remains unmet.”
A British delegation led by Starmer is visiting India from October 8-9, with plans to engage in discussions in Mumbai. Earlier reports noted diplomatic challenges during the trip, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday, highlighting New Delhi’s deepening ties with Moscow despite Western pressures.
