1 week ago
Boris Johnson Recalls Nehru’s Enduring Alignment Between India and Russia
Boris Johnson talked about India’s long relationship with Russia.
He said he once discussed this with Queen Elizabeth II.
The queen remembered meeting India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1952.
According to Johnson, Nehru said India would generally support Russia.
Johnson said this history helps explain India’s position today.
His comments came while Russia’s war against Ukraine is continuing.
Britain has supported Ukraine with military, economic and diplomatic help.
Johnson also discussed Britain’s plans to help Ukraine produce long-range missiles.
Boris Johnson recalled telling Queen Elizabeth II that persuading India to oppose Russia was difficult.
According to Johnson, the late queen remembered Jawaharlal Nehru saying in 1952 that India would remain broadly aligned with Russia.
Johnson said the conversation took place shortly before Elizabeth II’s death in 2022.
He argued that Britain should recognize the historical reality of India-Russia relations amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
The event also covered India-UK ties, the Strait of Hormuz crisis and planned British support for Ukraine’s missile production.
- Who
- Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Queen Elizabeth II and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru are central to the account.
- What
- Johnson recalled the queen saying Nehru had described India as likely to remain broadly on Russia’s side.
- Where
- Johnson made the remarks at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum.
- When
- The conversation between Johnson and Queen Elizabeth II reportedly occurred shortly before her death in 2022; Nehru’s cited conversation with the queen took place in 1952.
- Why
- He was explaining the historical context of India-Russia relations during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Historical conversation
- Queen Elizabeth II reportedly met Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952
- Nehru’s reported statement
- India would always be broadly on the side of Russia
- Johnson-queen conversation
- It reportedly took place shortly before Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022
- Current context
- The remarks came during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war
- Britain’s Ukraine support
- The article says Britain has provided military support, economic aid and diplomatic backing to Ukraine
- Missile-production plan
- Britain said it would allow MBDA to release classified information on British components used in the SCALP cruise missile
Quotes
Boris Johnson
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
“I don't know whether you agree with that analysis, but I was very struck by that. And, you know, I think we have to go with the historical reality.”
livemint.com
“how difficult it was to persuade our Indian friends to firmly come down against Russia.”
livemint.com
Sources
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