Prime Minister Narendra Modi met visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this evening amid global pressure on India to take a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
PM Modi and Russian Foreign Minister held a meeting for 40 minutes.
The Prime Minister has not publicly met any other visiting ministers from the UK, China, Austria, Greece and Mexico in the past two weeks.
Earlier today, Mr Lavrov said he wanted a “personal message” from President Vladimir Putin to Prime Minister Modi.
“The president (Putin) and the prime minister are in daily contact with each other and I will file with the president about my discussions. As he sends his best wishes to Prime Minister Modi and I would honor the possibility of personally delivering this message,” the Russian foreign minister said in his opening remarks at the talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
The Russian minister’s visit comes amid heightened pressure on India over Russian oil imports, with the US warning of “consequences” for countries trying to circumvent American sanctions on Moscow.
The report suggests that India should purchase increased volumes of discounted Russian oil and that both sides are keen on a ruble-rupee association for bilateral trade.
Hours before Mr. Lavrov’s arrival, US Deputy National Security Adviser Dilip Singh suggested there would be penalties for countries actively trying to “cut or backfill” American sanctions in defiance of Moscow.
“I am here in the spirit of friendship to explain our sanctions processes, express shared revelations and the importance of joining us to promote shared interests. And yes, there are consequences for international positions that actively try to evade or backfill these sanctions,” said Dilip Singh, to a question about India buying concessional oil from Russia.
According to a Bloomberg report, amid increasing global pressure, Russia is proposing a drastic reduction in direct oil sales to India.
India has yet to publicly criticize Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and has abstained from voting at the UN on a resolution condemning Russia. But last week, India abstained on a resolution pushed through Russia on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, which was seen as a reflection of its neutral stance on the conflict.
Russian Foreign Minister appreciated India’s stand. “These days our Western colleagues want to reduce any meaningful international issue to the crisis in Ukraine… (We) recognize that India is taking this situation very seriously, not just in a unilateral way,” Mr. Lavrov said.
On PM Modi’s potential as a mediator in the Ukraine crisis, he said, “India is an essential and serious country. If India plays the role that gives the resolution, India as our common partner… we guarantee the security of Ukraine… the West has given up its responsibility… India can assist in such a process”.
