Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met prime minister Narendra Modi and had talks with foreign minister S Jaishankar during his visit to India on 31 March – 1 April. The high-level talks took place in the backdrop of indications that India could buy greater volumes of discounted Russian oil and both sides were keen on having a ruble-rupee arrangement for bilateral trade.
This was his first trip to the country since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine. Jaishankar held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov amid intense international pressure over Russian oil imports, with the US warning of “consequences” for countries attempting to circumvent American sanctions against Moscow.
The high-level talks took place amid indications that India could buy greater volumes of discounted Russian oil and both sides were keen on having a rouble-rupee arrangement for bilateral trade.
The Russian foreign minister arrived in India after concluding a two-day visit to China. Lavrov’s visit to India coincided with that of US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Meeting with Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for early cessation of violence in Ukraine and expressed India’s readiness to contribute to the peace efforts to resolve the conflict, during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The orime minister has not publicly met any other visiting ministers in the past two weeks, including those from UK, China, Austria, Greece and Mexico.
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi called for an end to violence as Lavrov briefed him on the situation in Ukraine, including peace negotiations. “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,” said the press statement.
The statement is seen by many to refer to India’s willingness to play the role of mediator between Russia and Ukraine. Sources point out that India has been talking to other nations and has seen a series of key foreign visitors.
On the possibility of PM Modi as mediator in the Ukraine crisis, Mr Lavrov told reporters, “India is an important and serious country. If India plays that role that provides resolution, India as our common partner… we are for security guarantee of Ukraine… West has ignored its responsibility… India can support such process”.
People familiar with the visit said India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude oil and putting in place a rupee-ruble payment system for bilateral trade were expected to be the key focus of his talks with Jaishankar. India was also likely to press for timely delivery of various military hardware as well as components of the S-400 missile systems by Russia.
Unlike many other leading powers, India has not yet criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes at the UN platforms in condemning the Russian aggression. India abstained on a resolution pushed by Russia on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, which was seen as reflective of its neutral position on the conflict.
India has been pressing for the resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue. Modi has held conversations over the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7. The prime minister has spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.
Earlier, Jaishankar said in Parliament that India’s position on the Ukraine conflict has been “steadfast and consistent”, and that it has been seeking immediate cessation of violence.
Here are other the Highlights on the Russian Foreign Minister’s India Visit:
Sergey Lavrov, categorically stated that US pressure will not affect the partnership between India and Russia. “Have no doubt pressure doesn’t affect partnership, I have no doubt no pressure will affect our partnership… They (US) are forcing others to follow their politics,” said Lavrov in New Delhi.
Lavrov said a rupee-rouble payment system for trade with India was put into place earlier and it could be strengthened further. “More and more transactions will be done using national currencies and bypassing dollar-based system,” he said.
Lavrov repeatedly praised India’s independent foreign policy and added if New Delhi wanted to buy anything from Russia, “we are ready to discuss it”.
On possibility of India becoming a mediator between Moscow-Kyiv Lavrov said that India was an important country. India can play that role which provides resolution of problem. If India is with its position of just and rational approach to international problems, it can support such process.
Lavrov said he believed that Indian foreign policies were characterised by independence And the concentration on real national legitimate interests. The same policy based in the Russian Federation and this makes us, as big countries, good friends & loyal partners.
Jaishankar said, India prefers resolving disputes through diplomacy. Our bilateral relations have continued to grow in many areas. Our meeting takes place in a difficult international environment quite apart from the pandemic. India has always been in favour of resolving disputes through diplomacy.
