Top diplomats talk about two-sided relations ahead of Modi’s trip to Moscow
Date
7/17/2024 6:42:52 AM
(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar engaged in discussions about their countries' bilateral relations during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday. Their talks highlighted the significant progress made in various areas since their previous meeting in December, as noted by Jaishankar on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
During Jaishankar's last visit to Russia, several key bilateral agreements were signed following meetings with both Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This recent dialogue also included an exchange of views on the global strategic landscape, reflecting the ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
India's stance on the Ukraine conflict has been notable; the country has consistently abstained from United Nations resolutions condemning Russia. Instead, India has advocated for dialogue and diplomatic solutions to the ongoing crisis. Recently, an Indian delegation declined to endorse a final statement from a peace summit on Ukraine, citing the absence of Russia's participation. New Delhi emphasized that a sustainable and peaceful resolution necessitates “sincere and practical engagement” from both parties involved in the conflict.
This meeting occurs just days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated visit to Moscow for a bilateral summit with President Putin. A Kremlin spokesperson characterized the forthcoming visit as “very important,” with the agenda including discussions on regional and global security, bilateral relations, and trade.
In recent years, India has significantly increased its imports of Russian commodities, notably oil and coal, as well as strategic goods like defense hardware, all while navigating the pressures of Western sanctions imposed on Moscow. Jaishankar has consistently highlighted the importance of sustaining a strong relationship with Russia, asserting that India's foreign policy is fundamentally guided by its “national interest.”
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