Published on: 07/11/2022 – 05:14
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is in Moscow on Monday November 7 to meet his counterpart Sergei Lavrov. A two-day visit to “exchange on all bilateral issues,” vital for Russia, which wants to maintain its special relationship with New Delhi. Vladimir Putin has been full of praise for India and its leader for the past week.
With our correspondent in Bangalore, Como Bastin
“The future belongs to India, the world’s largest democracy, led by patriot Narendra Modi”, or “Indians are talented and determined”. Some of Vladimir Putin’s statements for ten days, in particular on the occasion of the Day of the Unity of the Russian People this Friday, November 4th.
The aim is to reaffirm the close ties between the two countries, which have been tested by the length of the conflict in Ukraine. India refuses to condemn Russia at the United Nations. With this, New Delhi does not want to offend a historical partner – and its first armaments suppliers.
But Narendra Modi changed his tune when addressing Vladimir Putin in Samarkand on September 16. “The time is no longer for war, but for dialogue,” launched the Indian Prime Minister. India also called on Russia to guarantee that it would not use nuclear weapons first. It is therefore necessary to prevent some form of discomfort.
The press largely echoes the praise of the Russian president who is reaffirming India’s role as a multipolar power. But India is not fooled: it is now a question of discussing strategic trade deals, for example on Russian gas, for which Moscow is looking for new buyers.
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