NEW DELHI, March 31 (Prensa Latina) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will arrive in India today for an official two-day visit to discuss the payment system for New Delhi’s purchases of oil and military materiel.
It will be Russia’s high-level visit to India after Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine on February 24, All India Radio reported.
Also, Lavrov will arrive in New Delhi after a two-day stay in China, the source added.
The minister could focus his attention on ironing out the rupee-ruble payment mechanism and disruptions in defense supplies, The Hindu newspaper said.
The visit of the Russian foreign minister comes amid a wave of tours by Western country leaders trying to change the position of New Delhi in front of Moscow due to the war in Ukraine.
Lavrov is expected to focus on strategic issues arising from the Kyiv-Moscow conflict, as well as specific talks on Russian oil purchases and payment mechanisms amid sanctions on Russian banks and the expulsion of the Swift banking mechanism.
The Indian government signaled in parliament last week that it is considering reduced Russian oil offers, and a special interministerial group led by the Ministry of Finance is investigating payment problems for Indian importers and exporters in the wake of the war and sanctions against Moscow.
The United States and its European allies are trying to isolate Russia and increase arms exports to Ukraine and neighboring countries, and are calling on other nations to support those efforts.
India consistently abstained from all UN resolutions affecting Russia and called for talks between the warring parties.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held calls between February 24 and March 7 with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy.
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