New Delhi: Amidst worldwide pressure on India to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday evening.
PM Modi and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov had a 40-minute meeting. In the last two weeks, the Prime Minister has not officially met any other visiting Ministers, including those from the United Kingdom, China, Austria, Greece, and Mexico.
🇷🇺🇮🇳 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov was received by Prime Minister arenarendramodi during his official visit to #India#RussiaIndia #DruzhbaDosti pic.twitter.com/2ZIsW0pi97
– MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) April 1, 2022
According to a press release issued by PMO, Foreign Minister Lavrov informed Prime Minister Modi of the situation in Ukraine, including ongoing peace talks. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his plea for an immediate end to violence and expressed India’s willingness to assist in any way with peace efforts.
The Russian Foreign Minister also provided an update to Prime Minister Modi on the status of decisions made during the India-Russia bilateral summit in December 2021.
Earlier today, Sergei Lavrov praised India’s foreign policies and said it is characterised by independence and the concentration of real nation legitimate interests.
Addressing a press conference, Lavrov further said that the same policies are based in the Russian Federation and this makes India and Russia big nations who are good friends and loyal partners.
When questioned about how Russia can support India in terms of security challenges, Lavrov said: “Talks are characterised by relations which we developed with India for many decades. Relations are strategic partnerships. This was the basis on which we have been promoting our cooperation in all areas.”
When asked how he perceives India’s stance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the offer of oil supplies to India and any confirmation on Rupee-Ruble payment and sanctions, Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that if India wants to buy anything from us, we are ready to negotiate and establish mutually acceptable collaboration.
Lavrov landed in New Delhi on Thursday evening after a two-day visit to China.
India, unlike many other major nations, has failed to denounce Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and it has refrained from voting on UN platforms denouncing Russian aggression.
Last Thursday, however, India abstained on a resolution on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine supported by Russia, which was viewed as a reflection of its neutral stance on the war.
India has pushed for a diplomatic and dialogue-based solution to the problem.
On February 24, March 2, and March 7, Modi spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite criticism from its Western allies over Russia’s military military incursion against Ukraine, India has maintained a mild approach toward Russia.
India’s decision to buy inexpensive Russian oil has also been chastised by its Quad grouping allies, which include the United States, Australia, and Japan.