Former Indian ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra has made it clear that India’s diplomacy will remain rooted in its own national interests rather than in managing the strategic rivalry between Washington and Moscow.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18 ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit, Malhotra said New Delhi is “not a regional balancing entity for anyone.”

“We are clear about one thing: we are not a regional balancing entity for anyone. India is looking to its own interests. India comes first, and everyone else needs to fall in place to the extent they can, and if not, we’ll see how to adjust,” he said.

President Vladimir Putin is in India for the annual India-Russia Summit, arriving with a high-powered delegation of seven ministers and a large business contingent — a clear indicatio

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