External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that diplomatic relations between India and Russia are a matter of “attention and comment”. Jaishankar’s comments come amid the ongoing war of words between Russia and Ukraine, in which most of the world has chosen sides while India, unlike the West, has refused to issue sanctions or marginalize Russia.
during jaishankar free trade agreement negotiation There is an opinion that India’s relationship with Russia is now the subject of scrutiny and increased attention among world leaders, contrary to expectation after the Russia-Ukraine war, ‘the partnership between the two countries has not changed’.
“Our partnership is the subject of attention and comment today, not because it has changed but because it has not. We share a commitment to a multipolar world.” Jaishankar said at the event.
Jaishankar said at an event in New Delhi that his government was in “advance agreement” on a trade treaty, which Russia’s Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov said would guarantee bilateral investments.
Emphasizing on the growing ties between India and Russia, Jaishankar also said,India and Russia have historical people-to-people ties, When we are talking about exploring new areas, I would indicate that if more direct flights are provided for more tourist purposes.”
India has not explicitly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – which Moscow describes as a “special military operation” – and has called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue.
“Russia is looking to Asia and for India, this could mean broadening ties. Jaishankar said that what we make of the current situation largely depends on us.
free trade agreementIf finalised, it would deepen bilateral commercial ties that have flourished since the war broke out in Ukraine.
Last month, Russia became India’s top supplier of crude oil. Total Indian imports from Russia increased almost four-fold to $46.33 billion till March 31.
Jaishankar said Indian businesses can benefit from Russian technology and New Delhi is working to resolve issues related to payments, certification and logistics.
India’s imports from Russia, mainly through oil, increased more than four times to $46.33 billion in the last financial year.
“We pay special attention to issues of mutual access of production to the markets of our countries,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who is also trade minister, said at an event in New Delhi.
“Together with the Eurasian Economic Commission, we look forward to accelerating negotiations on a free trade agreement with India.”
(with agency inputs)
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