Sergey Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister To Visit New Delhi: Report

EAM Jaishankar earlier was reported saying that the "common element" in thinking about the crisis was the need for an immediate ceasefire and return to dialogue and diplomacy. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Image Source: AFP)

New Delhi: Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov is likely to visit New Delhi this week, this is a few days after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's trip to India. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for a month, and this is the first official visit from Russia since it began.

According to a report by The Hindu, the visit is likely to discuss the Russian oil, a rupee to ruble payment mechanism, given sanctions against Russian banks and exclusion from the SWIFT. The report also suggests the possible disruptions in the supply of military hardware.

In the middle of March, the Parliament had discussed buying discounted Russian crude oil with prices there plunging to record lows in the wake of a global backlash to the Ukraine conflict. India is the third-largest importer of crude oil and an inter-ministerial group headed by the Finance Ministry is looking into the payments issues for Indian importers and exporters that arise from the war and Western sanctions.

This week, the Russian Central Bank or Bank of Russia will discuss with the RBI payment mechanisms ahead of Lavrov a team will travel to India to discuss payment methods, according to The Hindu.

The report further said that India will discuss, clarity from Russia on timely delivery of components for systems in use and of the deals underway including S-400 and Ak-203 assault rifles among others.

While Indian students were being transported back from Ukraine, PM Modi spoke to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone and diplomats have suggested that Modi could help mediate a solution. India has continually abstained from voting for all resolutions at the United Nations criticising Russia and called for talks. Jaishankar was reported saying that the "common element" in thinking about the crisis was the need for an immediate ceasefire and return to dialogue and diplomacy. 

Since Russia has been isolated by the US and the European countries this could be a visit to increase support from other countries.