In a significant diplomatic move, Russia reiterated its strong backing for Bharat’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Russian Defence Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized this support during talks with his Bharat counterpart, S Jaishankar, in Moscow. The UNSC currently has five permanent members—UK, China, Russia, the US, and France—while Bharat, among others, has persistently advocated for reforms to reflect contemporary global realities.
Lavrov praised Bharat’s adept handling of key issues at the G20 Summit, held in New Delhi earlier this year. He described it as a “true triumph” of Bharat’s foreign policy, highlighting the success of multilateral diplomacy. Lavrov commended Bharat’s role as the G20 Chair in achieving a balanced outcome document that considered diverse interests, setting a model for cooperation within international forums.
India’s diplomatic victory at the G20 Summit included skillfully navigating differences among member nations regarding the situation in Ukraine. The joint declaration refrained from directly criticizing Russia for its conflict with Ukraine, garnering unanimous support from all G20 members. This accomplishment showcased India’s ability to unite nations with varying perspectives, receiving praise from major players like the US, the UK, Russia, and China.
In a parallel development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the robust India-Russia trade relationship, which is currently at an all-time high. Jaishankar announced that negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union—comprising Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—will resume in January next year. He underlined the enduring and strategic nature of the relationship between New Delhi and Moscow, emphasizing their strong geopolitical alignment.
The enduring partnership between Russia and India dates back to the signing of the “Declaration on the Bharat-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000. This partnership spans various domains, including politics, defense, civil nuclear energy, anti-terrorism cooperation, and space exploration. The annual Summit meeting between the Prime Minister of Bharat and the President of the Russian Federation serves as a cornerstone in the high-level institutionalized dialogue, reinforcing the strong and steady ties between the two nations.
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