Aryan Grover
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, who sat for an interview ahead of his talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, stated that Russia is closely watching the process of normalisation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which functions as the India- China border.
He added that the agreements between the foreign ministers of India and China that took place on February 25, 2021 in furtherance of a resolution were greatly appreciated by Russia.
Lavrov believes that India, being an important player in international endeavours, should play a proactive part in finding a settlement to the situation in Afghanistan, while referring to the fact that India is not a part of the extended “Troika” on Afghanistan, where Russia launched a peace process in the country, hoping to achieve greater stability in the nation.
Russia wishes to extend its support and wishes India success in the dialogues that are to be held within the country, such as the BRICS dialogue, which is going to be held in New Delhi this year. It also recognised India’s position as a non-permanent member on the UN Security Council, and Lavrov wishes to continue the close interaction between the two nations in all such international platforms.
Given the adverse impact of the pandemic on nationwide economies, Russia-India partnership would seek to prioritise cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, agriculture, transport, finance and banking, science and technology, humanitarian ties. It can be said with certainty that the negotiations between the two minister will be fruitful and further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership that unites the two nations.
It is in the interest of both nations as responsible members of the international community find mutually acceptable political and diplomatic ways to remove existing differences at the earliest.