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YB WEB DESK. Dated: 4/7/2021 12:07:05 PM
Jaishankar says India, Russia bilateral cooperation remains energetic, forward-looking
New Delhi, Apr 6 A joint press conference held by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Sergey Lavrov at New Delhi on 6 April 2021 threw light upon various issues of importance between India and Russia. Highlighting the ability to identify and share mutual interests has led India and Russia towards sharing uniquely strong and steady bilateral relations irrespective of global developments over the course of time, Jaishankar appreciated Russia immense cooperation towards India’s ambitious ‘Gaganyaan’ space mission scheduled for the launch in 2023. Russia's Foreign Minister, in his visit to India, had discussions regarding the preparation for President Putin’s visit for the annual bilateral India-Russia summit later this year. Besides this, the primary topics of discussion addressed ways to improve the declining mutual trade due to the COVID pandemic, maritime cooperation, building upon future investments, collaboration in the energy sector, including nuclear power for civil use, and peaceful exploration of space. Russia’s Foreign Minister spoke on a similar note, emphasising on trade and economic interactions, citing New Delhi as one of the priorities of the Eurasian Economic Union. Talks regarding a possible free trade agreement were also out on the table between the two ally countries. A peace deal in Afghanistan was another crucial factor discussed by both parties, cited as a security concern affecting India's security by Dr Jaishankar. Russia's deep military engagement with India was highlighted by the Russian minister, emphasizing Russia's significance as a critical source of defence exports and technologies for India. Besides the economic and defence matters, Dr Jaishankar also mentioned the Russian Sputnik vaccine with the possibility of its production in India.