Washington: US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said that India's historical reliance on Russian military equipment has "rubbed the United States the wrong way", but noted that both countries are now addressing such issues directly and moving toward a stronger bilateral relationship.

“There were certain things that the Indian government did that generally rubbed the United States the wrong way. For instance, you generally buy your military gear from Russia. That’s a way to kind of get under the skin of America,” Lutnick said, speaking at the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in Washington on Monday.

However, Lutnick added that India’s gradual shift toward purchasing military equipment from the United States is seen as a positive development. "I think India starting to move towards buying military equipment from the United States... goes a long way," he said.

Commenting on India's participation in groupings like BRICS, which he said promote alternatives to the US dollar, Lutnick remarked, "That's not really the way to make friends and influence people in America… Put it on the table, address it straight on, resolve it straight on and get to a really good place. And I think that’s where we are."

Meanwhile, Lutnick said a bilateral deal could happen in the “not too distant future” as both countries have found common ground. “When they put the right person in India, put the right person on the other side of the table... You should expect a deal between the United States and India,” he added.