21.02.2024, New Delhi.
India has long-standing friendly ties with Russia and expects Europe to understand this, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told Germany’s Handelsblatt on February 20.
The minister emphasized that India has always had stable and friendly relations with Russia since its independence. He commented on possible problems in India’s relations with Europe due to its refusal to take an anti-Russian stance.
Jaishankar reminded that New Delhi has very complicated relations with Beijing both politically and militarily. At the same time, the diplomat emphasized that he “does not expect Europe to take an identical stance towards China. Therefore, Europe should understand that I cannot have a view on Russia identical to the European one.”
When asked whether India could become an intermediary in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the diplomat responded positively. He pointed out that New Delhi had already helped on some issues, such as the grain corridor along the Black Sea and IAEA support for inspections of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
“If we can help, we will be happy to do so. We are open when we are approached. However, we do not believe that we should initiate anything in this direction on our own,” Jaishankar explained India’s position.
He emphasized that New Delhi is in favor of ending the conflict as it affects everyone. At the same time, the diplomat noted that he cannot say how the confrontation will end, as he is not immersed in it enough.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
