Russia stood by India when much of the world backed Pakistan: S Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reaffirmed India’s ties with Russia amid Western criticism, saying Moscow has stood by New Delhi when its security and territorial integrity have come under threat.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in New Delhi, Jaishankar said India and Russia have historically enjoyed good relations, and that positive experience continues to shape their ties.
“People don’t forget good history or bad history,” he said.
He recalled support from Russia and the Soviet Union, particularly since the 1950s, at a time when much of the world backed Pakistan’s military regime.
The remarks alluded to Soviet support for India during the 1971 war with Pakistan, when Washington sent a naval task force to the Bay of Bengal in support of Islamabad.
In a veiled response to Western questioning of India’s ties with Moscow, Jaishankar said each country judges relationships through its own experience. Just as Europe cannot be expected to adopt India’s view of Russia, New Delhi’s choices reflect its own history with Moscow, he argued.
“India’s experience has been positive and consistently positive,” he said.
His remarks come amid US and European criticism of India’s continued engagement with Russia, particularly its oil purchases during the Ukraine war. Washington has pressed New Delhi to cut those imports, which India has defended as necessary for its energy security.
Jaishankar said the relationship has evolved from what it was in the 1970s and 1980s, with trade, energy and resources now forming a significant part of the partnership.
On Ukraine, he reiterated India’s call for an end to the war through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly conveyed that position, telling Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022 that “today’s era is not an era of war”.
Jaishankar said India has gone beyond advocating peace in recent months and held talks with both Russia and Ukraine. These have covered attacks on Black Sea shipping, grain imports, energy exports and strikes on critical infrastructure.- Ends
