Russia’s Lavrov ‘Appreciates’ Neutral India Stand on Ukraine

(Bloomberg) -- Russia “appreciates” India's neutral position on the war in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in New Delhi, where he met with officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

“The western world wants to reduce any meaningful relationship to the crisis in Ukraine,” Lavrov said on his first visit to New Delhi since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. Moscow “appreciates” that India hasn't taken the situation “in a one-sided way,” he added.

India has supported calls for a cease-fire and a diplomatic solution to end the war in Ukraine, while abstaining at the United Nations on votes for draft resolutions condemning Russia's invasion that were ultimately vetoed by Moscow. Bloomberg reported Wednesday that New Delhi is weighing a plan to make rupee-ruble-denominated payments using an alternative to SWIFT after the U.S. and European Union cut off seven Russian banks from using the Belgium-based cross-border payment system operator.  

The Russian plan involves rupee-ruble-denominated payments using the country's messaging system SPFS and central bank officials from Moscow are likely to visit next week to discuss the details. No final decision has been taken.

“India always prefers to settle differences through dialog and diplomacy,” Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said, adding that its ties with Russia have continued to “grow in many areas and we have diversified our cooperation by expanding our agenda.”

New Delhi has come under criticism from the U.S. and Australia -- its partners in the Quad grouping that also includes Japan -- for considering the Russian proposal to bypass sanctions imposed by Washington and its allies. This reflects deepening tensions as India looks to balance its historic links with Moscow and its relatively new pivot toward closer ties with the U.S.

Lavrov briefed Modi on the situation in Ukraine, including the ongoing peace negotiations, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said. The Indian Prime Minister reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of violence and conveyed the country's readiness to contribute to the peace efforts, the spokesperson said.

The Russian minister's visit is the latest in a rush of diplomatic engagements New Delhi has witnessed over the last few weeks. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in the city, his first visit since late 2019. America and other Quad allies have also been visiting to convince Modi's administration to take a stronger stand on Russia's war.

Later Friday, Lavrov told reporters he discussed rupee-ruble trade with India, adding Moscow doesn't “want to depend on a system which will be closed anytime.”

“We will be ready to supply to India any goods which it wants to buy from us,” he said. “Russia and India have very good relations.”

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