New Delhi| External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in New Delhi on Friday that India has always been in favor of resolving disputes through diplomacy.
Lavrov arrived in India on Thursday on a two-day visit during which he will discuss crude oil offers, rupee-ruble payments, ongoing arms deals and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In his inaugural address at Hyderabad House, Jaishankar said, “Our bilateral relations have continued to grow in many areas and we have diversified our cooperation by expanding our agenda. Our meeting took place in a difficult international environment apart from the pandemic. India Has always been in favor of resolving disputes through diplomacy.”
“In our meeting today, we will have an opportunity to discuss some of the details on contemporary issues and concerns,” he said.
Jaishankar also said that 2022 is “an important year in our bilateral ties, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic ties”.
“Despite the difficulties related to COVID, last year was one of intense bilateral activity, including the two plus two inaugural meeting and of course the 21st annual summit,” he said.
He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are in “regular contact and have spoken to each other on several occasions this year”.
Indian Foreign Minister said,
Lavrov said, “India and Russia are developing a strategic partnership and that has been our priority. We are certainly interested in balancing the world order. We have intensified our bilateral context.”
He also said that ‘friendship’ is an important word in the bilateral relations between India and Russia.
“Our relationship has been very durable through tough times in the past,” he said.
He said Putin has sent Modi his best honour.
The Russian Foreign Minister further said, “These days our Western allies want to reduce any meaningful international issue to the crisis in Ukraine. We are not fighting any such battles and we appreciate that India is able to meet this situation.” taking effect in a way, not just unilaterally.”
Ever since Moscow launched an invasion of Kyiv on February 24, India has been facing pressure from the West and its allies to take a stronger stand against Russia.
So far, India has remained neutral on seven resolutions relating to Ukraine in the US.
