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BIG STORY NOVEMBER 18, 2022 | The Indian Eye 4

INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS

STRONGER & CLOSER

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar goes to Moscow for an important
two-day trip and says India and Russia have strong and continuing contacts at various levels.
As the two countries eye $30-billion trade, the relationship is moving to next level

OUR BUREAU
Moscow/New Delhi

n an important pronouncement,
India’s External Affairs Minister
IS Jaishankar said that India and
Russia have strong and continuing
contacts at various levels.
Jaishankar arrived in Moscow on
Monday as a part of his two-day visit
to Russia, in continuation of the reg-
ular high-level dialogue between the
two sides. During his meeting with
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lav-
rov, he reviewed the entire gamut of
the India-Russia relationship. Lavrov
said he apprised Jaishankar about
the course of a “special military oper-
ation” in Ukraine, during talks with
the Indian counterpart on Tuesday.
Jaishankar and his Russian
counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Tues-
day held talks in Moscow covering a
range of bilateral, regional and glob-
al issues of mutual interests. In the
opening remarks, Jaishankar said,
“As you noted, there have been strong
and continuing contacts between our
governments at various levels. Prime
Minister Modi and President Putin S Jaishankar holds talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday (ANI)
met most recently in Samarkand in
September. Our Defense Ministers fashion a contemporary, balanced, will address the overall global situa- months has had a significant impact
spoke to each other. My colleague mutually beneficial, sustainable and tion and specific regional concerns.” on global food security and has led to
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval long-term engagement. Especially as He also said that India and Rus- a sudden increase in crude prices.
was in Moscow in August. Our Min- our economic cooperation increases, sia engage each other in an increas- Notably, India has not con-
ister for Chemicals and Fertilizers this is a significant imperative. We ingly multi-polar and re-balanced demned Russia since the start of the
was in Russia in June. And at the would be discussing how our shared world. Meanwhile, Lavrov said, “We conflict and has maintained its in-
official level, I think, our colleagues goals are best achieved,” he added. coordinate our actions in interna- dependent position. On several UN
have been in regular touch. And this Jaishankar, who arrived in Mos- tional organizations such as UNSC forums, New Delhi has consistently
is all very much in the spirit of our cow on Monday, said, “Where the where India is now a non-permanent called for a cessation of violence and
relationship.” international situation is concerned, member... all this is enriching our advocated peace and diplomacy.
He further said that this is the the last few years of the Covid pan- agenda and I’m confident that today India’s relationship with Russia
fifth meeting between both Foreign demic, financial pressures and trade we’re going to have a good conversa- has worked to its advantage and New
Ministers which shows their long- difficulties; these have taken a toll on tion about all this.” Delhi would like to keep that going,
term partnership. The minister also the global economy. We are now see- Since the start of the Ukraine S Jaishankar said on Tuesday, as he
said that today’s meeting is devoted ing the consequences of the Ukraine conflict earlier this year, India’s bilat- reaffirmed strong ties with Moscow,
to bilateral cooperation; exchanging conflict on top of that. There are eral ties with Russia have come under describing the country as a steady
perspectives on the international sit- also the more perennial issues of the scanner of the West for a surge and time-tested partner.
uation and also interests. “Where bi- terrorism and climate change, both in oil imports from sanctions-hit Jaishankar made these remarks
lateral ties are concerned, you would of which have a disruptive impact on Moscow. The war in Ukraine which during a joint press conference along
agree that it is our objective today to progress and prosperity. Our talks has continued for more than eight Continued at next page... >>

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