India, Russia spotlight want for preserving bilateral financial contacts ‘steady, predictable’

By PTI

NEW DELHI: India and Russia on Friday emphasised the necessity for preserving bilateral financial, technological and people-to-people contacts “stable and predictable”, signalling an intent to hold on with their cooperation, however western sanctions on Moscow.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his visiting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov held wide-ranging talks, masking varied facets of the bilateral ties together with commerce and funding, a day after the US warned of penalties for international locations for any try and “circumvent” the American sanctions in opposition to Moscow.

Following the talks, Lavrov referred to as on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hours earlier than the Russian overseas minister landed in India, US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh cautioned that there shall be penalties for international locations actively making an attempt to “circumvent or backfill” the American sanctions in opposition to Moscow.

Referring to the disaster in Ukraine, Jaishankar, within the talks, emphasised the significance of cessation of violence and ending hostilities, and famous that variations and disputes needs to be resolved via dialogue and diplomacy.

“The ministers assessed the overall state of cooperation. They considered the implications of recent developments on trade and economic relations,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) mentioned in an announcement.

It mentioned Jaishankar underlined that as a creating financial system, world volatility in numerous domains is of explicit concern to India.

“It is important for both countries that their economic, technological and people to people contacts remain stable and predictable,” it mentioned in an announcement.

The MEA mentioned the 2 sides mentioned developments pertaining to Ukraine and Lavrov briefed the Indian aspect on the Russian perspective of the state of affairs, together with the continuing peace talks.

“The exterior affairs minister emphasised the significance of cessation of violence and ending hostilities.

Differences and disputes needs to be resolved via dialogue and diplomacy and by respect for worldwide regulation, UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” it added.

The high-level talks occurred within the backdrop of indications that India may purchase better volumes of discounted Russian oil and either side have been eager on having a ruble-rupee association for bilateral commerce.

The two sides additionally mentioned the state of affairs in Afghanistan and Lavrov conveyed his evaluation of a current convention on the war-torn nation in China.

“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,” Jaishankar mentioned in a tweet.

In his opening remarks on the talks, the exterior affairs minister mentioned preserving common contact between the 2 sides is one thing “that is in our mutual interest”.

“Our meeting today takes place in a difficult international environment quite apart from the pandemic. India, as you are aware, has always been in favour of resolving differences and disputes through dialogue and diplomacy,” he mentioned.

On his half, Lavrov mentioned the ties between India and Russia have been “very sustainable” throughout many “difficult times” previously and that he didn’t have the slightest of doubts about continued cooperation.

He mentioned strengthening of ties with India has been a key precedence of the Russian overseas coverage.

“We are interested in having a balanced world order, which makes it sustainable,” Lavrov mentioned.

“These days, our western colleagues would like to reduce any meaningful international issue to the crisis in Ukraine. We do not fight anything and we appreciate that India is taking this situation in the entirety of effect and not just in a one-sided way,” he added.

In the talks, Jaishankar famous that the UN Security Council Resolution 2593 expressed the issues of the worldwide group and spoke of humanitarian assist for the Afghan folks.

The UNSC decision, adopted on August 30, 2021 beneath India’s presidency of the worldwide physique, talked in regards to the want for upholding human rights in Afghanistan, demanded that Afghan territory shouldn’t be used for terrorism and {that a} negotiated political settlement to the disaster needs to be came upon.

“Iran and JCPoA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) difficulty additionally featured within the talks.

The exterior affairs minister welcomed the Russian briefing on the matter,” the MEA mentioned.

The JCPoA is a pact finalised in 2015 between Iran and several other world powers, together with the European Union (EU).

It was geared toward curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The US had withdrawn from the deal in May 2018.

There have been recent efforts now to revive the deal.

Modi on Friday referred to as for early cessation of violence in Ukraine and expressed India’s readiness to contribute to the peace efforts to resolve the battle, throughout a gathering with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

According to an announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the visiting Russian Foreign briefed Modi on the state of affairs in Ukraine, together with Moscow’s ongoing peace negotiations with Kyiv.

Lavrov referred to as on the Prime Minister after holding wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

“Foreign Minister Lavrov briefed the Prime Minister on the situation in Ukraine, including the ongoing peace negotiations,” the assertion mentioned.

“The Prime Minister reiterated his call for an early cessation of violence, and conveyed India’s readiness to contribute in any way to the peace efforts,” it mentioned.

It mentioned the Russian Foreign Minister additionally up to date Modi on the progress of choices taken through the India-Russia bilateral summit held in December final 12 months.

On Thursday night, Lavrov arrived in New Delhi after concluding a two-day go to to China.

Unlike many different main powers, India has not but criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes on the UN platforms in condemning the Russian aggression.

However, final Thursday, India abstained on a decision pushed by Russia on the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine, which was seen as reflective of its impartial place on the battle.

India has been urgent for the decision of the disaster via diplomacy and dialogue.

Modi has held cellphone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7.

Modi had additionally spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.

Last week, Jaishankar mentioned in Parliament that India’s place on the Ukraine battle has been “steadfast and consistent” and that it has been searching for fast cessation of violence.