Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for early cessation of violence in Ukraine and expressed India's readiness to contribute to the peace efforts to resolve the conflict, during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The high-level talks took place in the backdrop of indications that India could buy greater volumes of discounted Russian oil and both sides were keen on having a ruble-rupee arrangement for bilateral trade.
Earlier in the day, Mr Lavrov held a meeting a External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
The Russian foreign minister arrived in India after concluding a two-day visit to China. Mr Lavrov's visit to India coincides with that of US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Here are the Highlights on the Russian Foreign Minister's India Visit:
The US has warned India against warming up to Russia, ahead of a visit by Moscow's top diplomat to press New Delhi to resist Western pressure to condemn its invasion of Ukraine.
Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister today categorically stated that US pressure will not affect the partnership between India and Russia.
"Have no doubt pressure doesn't affect partnership, I have no doubt no pressure will affect our partnership... They (US) are forcing others to follow their politics," said Lavrov in New Delhi while replying to a question by ANI about US pressure affecting India-Russia ties.
Sergey Lavrov said a rupee-rouble payment system for trade with India was put into place earlier and it could be strengthened further.
"More and more transactions will be done using national currencies and bypassing dollar-based system," he told a select group of reporters.
Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today repeatedly praised India's independent foreign policy and added if New Delhi wanted to buy anything from Russia, "we are ready to discuss it".
Russia is offering India steep discounts on the direct sale of oil as mounting international pressure lowers the appetite for its barrels elsewhere following the invasion of Ukraine, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
If India wants to buy anything from us, we are ready to discuss and reach mutually acceptable cooperation, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
For many years, there is an anti-Russia campaign and we are trying to counter that. We are fine, our partners are also fine: Russian Foreign Minister
I believe that Indian foreign policies are characterised by independence & the concentration on real national legitimate interests. The same policy based in the Russian Federation & this makes us, as big countries, good friends & loyal partners, said Russian Foreign Minister
Talks are characterised by relations which we developed with India for many decades. Relations are strategic partnerships. This was basis on which we've been promoting our cooperation in all areas: Russian Foreign Minster
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, a day after the US warned of consequences over attempts to "circumvent" American sanctions against Moscow.
Our bilateral relations have continued to grow in many areas. Our meeting takes place in a difficult international environment quite apart from the pandemic. India has always been in favour of resolving disputes through diplomacy, said S Jaishankar
Welcomed Russian FM Sergey Lavrov in Hyderabad House.
- Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 1, 2022
Look forward to our conversation today. pic.twitter.com/bc9qrO2TxD
As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is on a two-day official visit to India, the US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Thursday (local time) said that every country has its own relationship with Moscow and Washington is not seeking any change in that.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is on a two-day official visit to India, is expected to meet and hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday.