This content was published on March 31, 2022 – 3:25 p.m. March 31, 2022 – 3:25 p.m
New Delhi, 31 March (EFE) .- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov landed in India this Thursday as part of a two-day official visit, the first since the invasion of Ukraine, during which meetings are scheduled with senior officials the Government of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite international scrutiny.
“Greeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov upon his arrival in New Delhi for an official visit,” said Indian diplomacy spokesman Arindam Bagchi, who tweeted a video of the reception at the airport.
Lavrov will meet with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar tomorrow and later with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Russian representative arrives in New Delhi at a time when several countries are pressuring India to distance itself from the Kremlin and condemn military action in eastern Ukraine.
Despite this, the Asian country has chosen to maintain a position of “neutrality,” which is sometimes read as disguised support for Russia.
For some analysts, India’s position is defined by its deep military dependence on Russia, the supplier of 60% to 70% of India’s weapons equipment, in addition to acquiring Russian crude oil today at prices lowered by sanctions.
Although India has called for a ceasefire and dialogue, it abstained in the UN vote to condemn the Russian invasion or blame Russia for the humanitarian crisis.
Lavrov’s visit coincides with the arrival of UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who aims to address India’s response to the Russian invasion.
Shortly before leaving for the Asian country, the British ministry announced in a statement that Truss would stress to his Indian counterpart the importance of democracies “working together” in the face of war “to stop aggressors, reduce vulnerability to blackmail and… strengthen global security”. .
In addition, Daleep Singh, the White House Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs, is also currently in India to meet with government officials.
Jaishankar also had a phone call with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken last night to discuss “developments related to the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and the global economy,” the Indian minister said on Twitter.
Lavrov arrived in the Indian capital after a meeting in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, during which both ratified their “strategic partnership,” which has not and will not change due to the war or resulting Western sanctions. EFE
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