New Delhi: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is paying an official visit to India, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday after holding talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here.
Taking to Twitter, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote, “Russia Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov was received by Prime Minister @narendramodi during his official visit to #India.” The meeting is quite significant as it comes at a time when India continues to stay neutral over Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Lavrov on Friday said that India can mediate between Moscow and Kyiv as the peace talks between the two counties failed to come up with solutions yet to end the war.
Responding to an ANI question on the possibility of India becoming a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, he said, “India is an important country. If India sees to play that role which provides resolution of the problem…If India is with its position of a just and rational approach to international problems, it can support such process.”
Lavrov, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day official visit, also lauded independent Indian foreign policy and discussed a myriad of issues including, US pressure on India, surging energy prices, and sanctions on Russia.
“I believe that Indian foreign policies are characterised by independence and the concentration on real national legitimate interests. The same policy is based in the Russian Federation and this makes us, as big countries, good friends and loyal partners,” he said.
When asked about US pressure on India will affect Indo-Russian ties, the Russian FM said, “Have no doubt pressure doesn’t affect partnership, I have no doubt no pressure will affect our partnership… They (US) are forcing others to follow their politics.”
He also slammed for calling the special operation in Ukraine a war when asked about the developments in Ukraine, Lavrov said, “You called it a war which is not true. It is a special operation, military infrastructure is being targeted. The aim is to deprive the Kyiv regime of building the capacity to present any threat to Russia.”
He also replied to ANI on how he sees India’s position in the ongoing war, offer of oil supply to India, and any confirmation on Rupee-Ruble payment and sanctions.
“If India wants to buy anything from us, ready to discuss and reach mutually acceptable cooperation,” he said, adding “We will be ready to supply to India any goods which it wants to buy from us. We are ready to discuss. Russia and India have very good relations.”
He further said that relations with India were developed over many decades while answering how they can support India in terms of security challenges
“Talks are characterized by relations which we developed with India for many decades. Relations are strategic partnerships…This was the basis on which we’ve been promoting our cooperation in all areas,” said Lavrov.
