‘Freedom of choice’: India defends ties with Russia after US official's remark

India said that a country has freedom of choice in a multipolar world, and everybody should be mindful of and appreciate such realities. Reacting to a US official's comment that the country is disappointed over the symbolism and timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia, New Delhi on Thursday said that all countries have the“freedom of choice” to decide their bilateral relations based on “mutuality of interests”. It also emphasised the country's longstanding ties with Russia.