Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, a long-time ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was in New Delhi for an official visit on Friday. The visit came at a time when Russia has been at the receiving end of widespread criticism over the invasion of Ukraine.

During his visit, Lavrov met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the situation in Ukraine, including the ongoing peace negotiations.

“Prime Minister reiterated his call for early cessation of violence and conveyed India’s readiness to contribute in any way to the peace efforts. The Russian Foreign Minister also updated the Prime Minister on the progress of decisions taken during the India-Russia bilateral Summit held in December 2021,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

Concluded talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Discussed bilateral cooperation and developments in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN and the Indian sub-continent. pic.twitter.com/jAlrpol5Gt

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 1, 2022

JAISHANKAR-LAVROV MEET

Earlier in the day, Sergey Lavrov and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar were part of a closed-door meeting of Russian and Indian delegations at Hyderabad House in the national capital.

“EAM underlined that as a developing economy, global volatility in different domains is of particular concern to India. It is important for both countries that their economic, technological and people-to-people contacts remain stable and predictable,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

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The statement went on to add that the two ministers discussed the developments pertaining to Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan, in addition to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Referring to Ukraine, EAM Jaishankar emphasised the importance of cessation of violence and ending hostilities. Differences and disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and by respect for international law, the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, he said.

Concluded talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Discussed bilateral cooperation and developments in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN and the Indian sub-continent. pic.twitter.com/jAlrpol5Gt

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 1, 2022

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also conveyed his assessment of the recent conference on Afghanistan in China during the closed-door meeting.

Prior to the meeting, Lavrov had said during a special briefing that developing strategic partnerships with India has been Russia’s priority, adding that the two countries have “intensified” their bilateral context.

Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar said that keeping in regular touch is in the mutual interest of both India and Russia.

JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

EAM Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart also addressed a joint press conference later in the day.

During the press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said India can mediate between Moscow and Kyiv if New Delhi “sees to play that role which provides resolution of the problem”.

“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,” the Russian Foreign Minister added.

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Asked about pressure on India from the US and European countries to downgrade ties with Russia, Sergey Lavrov said, “I have no doubt no pressure will affect our partnership… They [US] are forcing others to follow their politics.”

“I cannot imagine that India is taking some stand because India is under some kind of pressure. We respect India’s stand, its concentration on basic principles, namely that Indian foreign policy is based on its national interest,” he added.

UKRAINE

“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,” Lavrov told one reporter in response to a question about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He added, “Negotiations will continue. You heard from our negotiators about the last round of negotiations in Istanbul, where the Ukrainian side put on paper their understanding of the agreement that has to be reached. These agreements should be finalised. We are coming up with a response.

“So, there is certainly progress with regard to admitting the inadmissibility of Ukraine being part of any bloc … it is about their neutral status. That is already a necessity. Now, we have found an agreement with another reality … situation with Crimea and Donbas… we are working on that, and we will announce it.”

INDIA-RUSSIA TIES

On whether India and Russia are trying to work out a Rouble-Rupee system to conduct bilateral trade, Lavrov said, “We have to find ways to bypass impediments. Efforts to move away from the dollar to the national currency will intensify.”

He also said that the Kremlin is ready to supply India with any goods which it wants to buy from Russia.

“We will be ready to supply India with any goods which India wants to buy. A way out to bypass artificial impediments that illegal, unilateral sanctions by the West create. This also relates to the area of military and technical cooperation. We have no doubt that a solution will be found and the respective ministries are working on it.”

Earlier this week, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that every country has its own relationship with Moscow and Washington does not seek any change in that.

“Different countries are going to have their own relationship with the Russian Federation. It is a fact of history. It is a fact of geography. That is not something that we are seeking to change,” Price had said during a press briefing in Washington.