New Delhi
A good diplomacy and foreign policy is also about the right mix of balance in framing the standpoint during conflicting situations.
“We welcome the independent position India has taken in the UN Security Council twice already and which was expressed openly by the Indian external affairs minister and other officials,” Russia said on the Modi government's clarity on the Ukraine crisis.
Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said India has been playing a vital role as a responsible
global power and it takes an “independent and balanced” approach to world affairs.
Babushkin said, referring to statements made by the Indian side at two Security Council meetings
on the Ukraine crisis.
He also said the crisis would not impact India-Russia ties, including in areas of defence, and that there will
be a “huge” Russian participation in the DefExpo in Gujarat next month.
“The Indian activities at the UN Security Council are fully reflecting the merit of our special and
privileged strategic partnership,” he said.
It may be mentioned that while there is an escalated tension between Moscow and the West
especially the United States after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway
Ukrainian regions as independent states, India at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council
on Monday specially called for “restraint on all sides”.
New Delhi had laid emphasis that the immediate priority was “de-escalation of tensions”, taking
into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long term peace.
Specifically asked whether the Western sanctions will adversely impact India-Russia defence
cooperation including supply of S-400 missile systems, Babushkin said,
“We keep in mind the possibility of the negative influence of sanctions with regard to our cooperation in
particular affairs, including defence. But at the same time, when it comes to our case with India, we have
very strong and trusted cooperation".
“We continue our work with our Indian partners in defence. We have big plans and we hope that our
partnership will continue," Babushkin further said.
He said the Western sanctions against Russia will negatively affect the Russian economy and
banking system.
The Russian diplomat also said India and Russia don’t “threaten” each other with unilateral sanctions
and don’t interfere in each other’s domestic affairs.
He said NATO has been a source of 'instability' and that the Western countries are trying to exert
more pressure on Russia.
He alleged that Ukraine has been under “external control” since 2014 and that the US has been
sending thousands of tonnes of military equipment to that country during the period.
Moscow will be open to sharing sophisticated technologies with India, and bilateral defence cooperation
is a “strong factor of international peace and stability", he said.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment