Ready To Supply If India Wants To Buy Any Goods From Us: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
When asked whether the pressure by Western nations, especially the US on India will affect Indo-Russian ties, Lavrov said that no pressure will affect the partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.
New Delhi: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is currently in India amid Russia's ongoing military advance in Ukraine, on Friday 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 asked 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."
Talks are characterised by relations which we developed with India for many decades. Relations are strategic partnerships...This was basis on which we've been promoting our cooperation in all areas: Russian Foreign Min on how they can support India in terms of security challenges pic.twitter.com/bmwiWzrcXj
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2022
"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 told reporters.
Delhi | 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 from building the capacity to present any threat to Russia: FM Lavrov on being asked about developments in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/ffWYtHMfl0
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2022
While responding to news agency ANI on how he sees India's position in ongoing war, offer of oil supply to India and any confirmation on Rupee-Ruble payment and sanctions, the Russian Minister said that if India wants to buy anything from us, we are ready to discuss and reach mutually acceptable cooperation.
Responding to a reporter who termed the Russia-Ukraine conflict a war, 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."
Delhi | 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 from building the capacity to present any threat to Russia: FM Lavrov on being asked about developments in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/ffWYtHMfl0
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2022
Responding to if India becomes a mediator between Moscow and Kyiv, Lavrov said that 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 rational approach to international problems, it can support such process," he said.
When asked whether the pressure by Western nations, especially the United States on India will affect Indo-Russian ties, Lavrov said that no pressure will affect the partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.
He also accused the US of forcing other nations to follow their politics.
Earlier in the day, Russia offered India steep discounts on the direct sale of oil as mounting international pressure lowers the appetite for its barrels elsewhere on the backdrop of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Russia is offering its flagship Urals grade to India at discounts of as much as $35 a barrel on prices before the war to lure India to lift more shipments.
Russia wants India to take 15 million barrels contracted for this year just to begin with, Bloomberg sources said, adding the talks are taking place at the government level.
Furthermore, Russia has also offered rupee-ruble-denominated payments using Russia's messaging system SPFS, that could make trading more attractive for India.
India has maintained a soft stance against Russia despite pressure from its Western allies over Moscow's military offensive against Ukraine.
India's move to source cheap Russian oil have also come under criticism from its allies in the Quad grouping, including US, Australia and Japan.
Trending News
Top Headlines
