How to solve the problem of Independent and balanced’: Russia welcomes Indian stand on Ukraine crisis

Ukraine Russian charged affair with Roman said India’s stance at the UN Security Council reflects “our special and privileged strategic partnership” and corresponds to Indian aspirations to enhance its status in global affairs NEW DELHI: Russia welcomes India’s “independent and balanced” approach to global affairs, including the situation in Ukraine, and the fallout of the crisis won’t impact bilateral cooperation in areas. 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, They said, referring to statements made by the Indian side at two Security Council meetings on the Ukraine crisis. India, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, is playing the “vital role of a responsible global power”, and has adopted an “independent and balanced approach to global affairs”, he said. India’s stance at the Security Council reflects the “our special and privileged strategic partnership and fully corresponds to Indian aspirations” to enhance its status in global affairs, he added.

Responding to a question on the impact of Western sanctions on India-Russia cooperation said such punitive measures will negatively affect Russia’s economy and banking system and lead to more instability because of an “atmosphere of mistrust and continuous fear”. We keep in mind the possibility of negative influence of sanctions with regard to our cooperation in particular affairs, included at the same time, when it comes to our case with India, we have very strong and [long-standing] trusted cooperation..., he said. “We continue our work with our Indian partners We have big plans we hope that our partnership will continue further at the same level we are enjoying today,” he said, adding that Russia will a “huge participation” in India’s upcoming exhibition. Russia remains open to sharing sophisticated technologies with India, and bilateral cooperation is a “strong factor of international peace and stability and to the full extent reflects the national interests of both countries”, he said. India is among the few countries that haven’t Russia’s actions of massing troops along the borders with Ukraine. At the UN Security Council, India has only expressed deep concern at the escalation of tension and called on all parties to exercise “utmost restraint” while stepping up diplomatic efforts to find a solution that ensures the “legitimate security interests” of all countries. However, India’s position has been questioned by Western commentators in recent days, with some pointing out the country is the only member of the Quad that has Russia. The other members of Quad – Australia, Japan and the US – have announced sanctions on Russia, while India has made it clear it doesn’t have a policy of sanctions. Russia continues to be the largest supplier of major military hardware to India, and it began supplying the S-400 air system to India late last year, coinciding with a visit by President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi for an annual summit. During the summit in December, the two sides signed an agreement for a cooperation over the next 10 years.