Experiences with Russia have been largely positive: Jaishankar to News18

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s five-day official visit to Russia in December, during which he met President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, sparked a wave of discontent in many Western countries.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, the minister said, “We have been under pressure for the last few years where our relations with Russia are concerned and we have stood our ground because, strategically, as I tell people I say, look at the map.” Look at this vast expanse of the world, and I think when you look at the mapping of it, I think it makes sense why India and Russia would work together. And from our perspective, ultimately whatever decisions we make with Russia will be based on our experiences, not on other people’s experiences. And those experiences have been largely positive.”

India has adopted a neutral stance on the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict, while also advocating dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the situation. Regarding India’s opinion on the conflict, PM Modi had also said in 2021 that “this is not the era of war.”

During his visit, Jaishankar had said that relations between India and Russia go deeper than just diplomacy or economics. He also met his counterpart Sergei Lavrov and Russia’s Deputy PM Denis Manturov.

Despite the growing uneasiness regarding this in many western countries, India’s import of Russian crude oil has increased significantly.

Jaishankar had a wide-ranging exchange of views on bilateral cooperation in trade and economics, energy, defence, connectivity, cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between sectors of the two countries. They also shared perspectives on global and regional development, including multilateral cooperation.

Three documents relating to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, an MoU on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare and a protocol on Foreign Office consultations were signed during the visit. “The visit of the External Affairs Minister to Russia provided an opportunity to review the ongoing bilateral cooperation and consider ways to further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The Russian President had also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit next year. “We will be happy to see our friend Prime Minister Modi in Russia,” Putin said during his meeting with Jaishankar.

Putin said, on his visit, “we will be able to discuss all relevant, current issues and talk about the prospects of Russian and Indian relations.”