India’s Top Diplomat Visits Russia

The trip closes out another year in which New Delhi managed a balancing act between Moscow and Washington.

Russia Hails Relationship With India as Jaishankar Visits

Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday. Despite Western attempts to isolate Russia in response to its war in Ukraine, India has dramatically increased its purchase of Russian oil since the conflict began.

“Everything is in your hands,” Putin said, according to the New York Times, “and I can say that we are successful because of your direct support.” Putin also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia. Ahead of the meeting, Jaishankar said the officials would “focus on bilateral cooperation in different spheres,” while Lavrov said that both countries are invested in “building an international political and economic system that would be open and fair for everyone.”

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India’s Top Diplomat Visits Russia
The trip closes out another year in which New Delhi managed a balancing act between Moscow and Washington.
By Emily Tamkin, a global affairs journalist and the author of The Influence of Soros and Bad Jews.

Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday. Despite Western attempts to isolate Russia in response to its war in Ukraine, India has dramatically increased its purchase of Russian oil since the conflict began.

“Everything is in your hands,” Putin said, according to the New York Times, “and I can say that we are successful because of your direct support.” Putin also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia. Ahead of the meeting, Jaishankar said the officials would “focus on bilateral cooperation in different spheres,” while Lavrov said that both countries are invested in “building an international political and economic system that would be open and fair for everyone.”

Following the discussions, Lavrov hailed India’s “responsible approach” to world affairs, including the war in Ukraine. Jaishankar, for his part, called Russia a “valued and time-tested” partner. New Delhi has historic diplomatic ties with Moscow and has long relied on imports of Russian arms. (During Jaishankar’s visit, the two countries reportedly made “tangible progress” on plans for the joint production of military equipment.)

On Tuesday, India and Russia also discussed the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, which is being built in southern India with assistance from Russia. The two countries came to an agreement on the future construction of power-generating units for the plant, which is expected to become fully operational in 2027 after years of construction.

Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday. Despite Western attempts to isolate Russia in response to its war in Ukraine, India has dramatically increased its purchase of Russian oil since the conflict began.

“Everything is in your hands,” Putin said, according to the New York Times, “and I can say that we are successful because of your direct support.” Putin also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia. Ahead of the meeting, Jaishankar said the officials would “focus on bilateral cooperation in different spheres,” while Lavrov said that both countries are invested in “building an international political and economic system that would be open and fair for everyone.”/FP/