India is committed to maintaining strong and stable relations with Russia: EAM Jaishankar

On September 26, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar characterized the India-Russia relationship as highly robust and highlighted mutual efforts to maintain its strength. He provided this perspective during a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, where he was attending the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Over the past seven decades, the connections between the United States and Russia, Russia and China, and Europe and Russia have experienced both positive and negative phases. However, India’s association with Russia has remained consistently stable, as stated by Jaishankar.

One of the contributing factors to this stability was a mutual understanding between both nations that, as major Asian powers, they had a fundamental foundation for fostering and maintaining positive relations. Therefore, we are meticulous in ensuring that the relationship remains robust, Mr. Jaishankar explained when addressing the potential influence of Russia’s increasing closeness to Beijing on its relationship with India.

Also Read: Asian Games 2023: Indian Team Wins Gold In Equestrian Dressage Event After 40 Years

Shift in Russia’s Focus from Europe to Asia Due to Strained Relations Following Ukraine Invasion, Jaishankar Explains

Russia has traditionally identified itself as a European nation despite its geographical presence spanning both Asia and Europe, noted Mr. Jaishankar. However, following the Ukraine invasion in February, its relations with Europe and the Western world have been significantly strained. As a result, Russia is now looking towards Asia due to the substantial economic activity in the region and acknowledging its own status as an Asian power, even though it hadn’t previously considered itself as such, as explained by Mr. Jaishankar.

“I would actually predict that Russia would make very strenuous efforts to build alternative relationships, a lot of which would be in Asia,” he said.This is likely to manifest in trade, economic ties, and potentially other areas.

Although the Russia-China relationship may be of significant importance, the Minister highlighted that India’s ties with Russia have remained remarkably stable since the mid-1950s.

Also Read: India’s dossier on Khalistani terrorists reveals Goldy Brar constructing a hideout in California