To be clearer, public opinion polls back this up.

And honestly, Indian nationalists on reddit are downright pleasant when compared to Indian nationalists in non-English speaking circles. Much more talk of revenge and dominance than trade or independence lol.

The nationalist comments that dislike the West and like Russia are indeed a plurality, if not majority

How so? I'm not a geopolitical expert, just interested in trade and econ and geopolitics.

Not sure what bubble you mea. Am in Russian telegrams, Indian news and Hindu speaking areas, Chinese media apps, etc.

If anything, Indian media and people are even more anti West in Hindi speaking circles than English ones. Hence China being their largest trade partner

Sorry, updated my comment (posted early)

I agree. West saw Indian nonallignment and friendly relations with USSR as taking a side and decided to back Pakistan as an anti-commie block

This was disastrous. Kissinger is a monster and also an idiot. US fopo towards India at the time was also braindead and sometime outright racist.

But not we must suffer our great grandfathers mistakes (not that long ago, but old af politicians) and now we have a unstable Pakistan no one in America actually likes who isn't even that important now war on terror shif scaled back, rising China who dominates trade even with its biggest local rivals because the US are too concerned about appeasing domestic voters to trade more, and India mired with corruption (whilst I am not necessarily the biggest fan of the Indian nationalists as a whole, Modi and the BJP compared to the INC dynasty is relatively easy, much less corruption at least) and prior stagnant growth

And tbh whilst they are Westernised to some extent I dont know how far that goes. Even in Indian online spaces-- Indians use the same media as rest (unlike China) and even language (can access external news if they choose) they are similar to China in online pro-Russia sentiment.

Not fundamentally different, but neither side is going to take a big first step in relations, US knows India will never join again China in Taiwan and India knows US won't support directly in skirmishes in border (and India doesn't expect it to escalate) to the "alligned" anti China thing fizzles out, and India imports tons from China and America does too

Sorry, I couldve clarified I was focusing on imports there, but you are correct I was relying on old data. However even then, China is still ahead (even if by less than I thought) and as you say, Indians are skeptical of increased reliance upon the West in trade (to the point China is their largest trading partner-- rather be stabbed in the front and all I guess) Not to mention the fact that many imports from China are critical, whereas India can and wants to move away from US dependence

And Russian influence in India is much more understated. From Soviet propaganda to Operation Infektion in the outset to India media (and that includes nominally "independent" media dancing around the Russian line) This includes associating Soviets with modern Russia, UN votes, vetos and speeches, arms sales, seeing Russia as a successful and honest country, and being completely forgiving of all and any Russian steps against Indian interests (big one is their massive relationship with China, but also them restricting foreign investment from India and others and cancelling arms sales)

Don't get me wrong, we very likely broadly agree. My point is given all we have both said and the Indian sentiment, India as the US will not be allies. Americans are apathetic towards India if not slight positive, and Indians dislike America and are very wary of them

The best to hope for is a mutually beneficial trade relationship where both sides do not interfere with each other, and India will continue to trade with Russia, China, Afghanistan etc.

Thats my point-- he is right Indians hate the West and you outline why.

They resent us for the actions undertaken by our great grandfathers and beyond (Cold War) and later (War on terror + Pakistan)

If we ever want Indians to be allies we have to make amends for this and offer an incentive that pulls them away from Russia

But this is very unlikely, as they love Russia and see it as more trustworthy and dependable than the US, and are very wary of relying upon the West in any way.

Its the reason why their trade is growing so fast with China. They may say they hate China, and some reddit people will say they hate both but China more, but economically India imports fucktons (billions, largest importer by far) from there and its only rising.

And due to nations past action, Soviet support and American antagonism, the relationship may be too far gone to salvage

This isn't even mentioning the military relationship India and Russia enjoy

Of course people love Russia. They have been an ardent ally of India through thick and thin, through conflict with Pakistan to standing up to USA for em.

This isn't even mentioning the massive extent of Russian exports to India, especially of arms and material they wouldn't give to any other non-alligned group and the extremely beneficial tech transfers that go with it

And this is just the prosperous military relationship. There is also culture (Indian films in Russia and vice versa, positive opinions of each others country and citizens, shared Western skepticism) and non-military trade (reliable and key exporter of oils and metals)

This is also why Indians are not also reluctant to buy arms from the US/UK (France is seen as better because less of a colonist for India, but even now Russia is above em) but also just to trade in general. To the point India has a massive trade relationship (importing billions) from China, whereas trade with US is not that big (although it does seem to be growing)

It conveys public opinion. Also backed by actual polls of India on Russia vs US

So you agree with the guy that India hates the US? I don't see the disagreement tbh

If anything this only explains their comment (why Indians hate us)

Just see my other comment

A lot of Indians do seem to hate the US and West as a whole, which makes sense.

And whilst you are correct about national interests, that too is served by domestic opinions.

Indians love Russia as they have been cultural but especially great military partners since the cold War, very dependable. So there isn't anyone upset over 90% military dependency upon Russia or relying upon em for crucial imports of certain natural resources (oil, some minerals)

On the other hand, America when being run by our great grandfathers is not reliable at all. In the Col War when India sided with the Soviets USA stupidly thought it smart to side with Pakistan, and then not only underplayed genocide but also sent ships off coast. Soviets responded with nuclear sub, in India's defense.

Hence many Indians (can see them in this thread) as skeptical of any reliance upon the West, even mutually beneficial trade and dealing between private companies.

This is one reason why China is a fast growing trade partner to India, and will likely reap even more gains from Indias growth as it exports massive amounts. Whilst some Indians online claim to hate China more than US, their money sings a different tune and we should pay attention to that.

Doesn't mean give up on India entirely as a partner, but accept it will never join any kind of military alliance and instead the best we might get is a trade deal to reduce their dependence upon China.

Indians aren't our allies. Just look at the comments by Indians here and on this sub as a whole.

They resent and despise us for the actions undertaken by our great grandfathers and beyond (Cold War) and later (War on terror + Pakistan)

If we ever want Indians to be allies we have to make amends for this and offer an incentive that pulls them away from Russia

But this is very unlikely, as they love Russia and see it as more trustworthy and dependable than the US, and are very wary of relying upon the West in any way.

Its the reason why their trade is growing so fast with China. They may say they hate China, and some reddit people will say they hate both but China more, but economically India imports fucktons from there and its only rising. And due to nations past action, Soviet support and American antagonism, the relationship may be too far gone to salvage