New Delhi: The Government and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (April 7) said there was no pressure on India from western nations on New Delhi’s ties with Moscow
“Don’t think there is any such pressure. Talks of sanctions going on but it’s not on the entire trade. A lot of trade is going on. Trade of oil too. Our focus is to maintain and stabilise our established economic relations with Russia,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters in New Delhi.
He said India’s focus was on maintaining and stabilising established economic relations with Russia under current circumstances.
During the regular media briefing, the spokesperson was asked about the recent statements from US deputy national security adviser Daleep Singh.
“We have been been very open about it. I think that’s very clear regarding our position,” he said.
Bagchi also said discussions were underway to see what kind of payment mechanism could work between India and Russia. He also cited how energy flows from Russia had continued despite the sanctions.
“…Energy flows to Europe are continuing, fertiliser purchasing has been insulated… There are such other examples also. I think I will rely on what EAM (S Jaishankar) said – political colouring should not be attributed to our actions,” the MEA spokesman asserted.
“If India has chosen a side, it is a side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence,” Dr Jaishankar had said in Parliament.
In fact, during his latest visit to India, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had also said: “Have no doubt pressure doesn’t affect partnership, I have no doubt no pressure will affect our (Indo-Russia) partnership”.
No Comments on Pak politics
MEA spokesperson also declined to comment on the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan and said India does not comment on the internal matters of a country.
“This is their internal matter, I actually have no comments to offer as of now. We are watching the developments but we don’t comment on internal matters.”
On being asked about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bagchi said certain remarks were made in the context of domestic political developments and did not have anything to do with foreign policy.
