U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti took a surprising jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his successful summit with Putin in Moscow on July 9-10, which focused on economic cooperation. During a defense partnership event on July 12, Garcetti dismissed India's desire for strategic independence, saying that in times of conflict, such autonomy doesn't exist. He emphasized the need for the U.S. and India to act as trusted allies, especially during crises like the Ukraine war.

India seemed unimpressed. Garcetti and Secretary of State Blinken were furious that Modi and Putin's friendly meeting, complete with a bear hug, happened instead of Modi atte...