With India emerging as an important voice in finding ways to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold talks on the issue here with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar during his two-day visit starting Thursday.
It will be the first visit by a Russian Minister to India since the war began on February 24.
Incidentally, Lavrov’s visit coincides with high-profile visit by British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss and US Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) for International Economics Daleep Singh. The US Deputy NSA arrives here on Wednesday for a two-day visit. He is reportedly the main person behind sanctions against Russia.
India has abstained from voting against Russia in the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2, and March 7 to express the country’s concern on the Ukraine war. Modi had also spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice. During his talks with both the Presidents, Modi called for an early cessation of hostilities and favoured dialogue to resolve the issue.
Giving details of Lavrov’s tour, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a one-line statement, “Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov will pay an official visit to New Delhi on March 31-1 April 2022.”
Currently, he is in China.
India and Russia are likely to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and its global implications. Lavrov is likely to focus on strategic issues resulting from the war, as well as specific discussions on purchasing Russian oil, payment mechanisms, and sanctions against Russian banks with Jaishankar.
The two sides are also likely to review any possible impact on the unhindered supply of weapons systems. They include the Rs 50,000 crore S-400 missile systems and production of AK -203 assault rifles in India. This deal is worth over Rs 7,000 crores.
The Government indicated in Parliament last week that it is considering offers of discounted Russian oil. A special inter-Ministerial group headed by the Finance Ministry is looking into the payments issues for Indian importers and exporters that arise from the war and Western sanctions.
The western sanctions on Russia have created difficulties in making payments to that country. Both sides are now looking at the option of a rupee-ruble payment system.
As regards defence ties, Russia is the biggest supplier of weapon systems to India. The ongoing war has led to concerns here about the possible delay in delivery of the S-400 missile system and production of AK-293 assault rifles in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
India has also decided to purchase discounted crude oil from Russia, triggering concern among a number of Western powers.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said around two weeks back that India taking the Russian offer of discounted crude oil would not be a violation of the US sanctions on Moscow but underlined that countries should also think about “where you want to stand” on the Russian action.
As regards the US official’s visit, a statement from Washington said, “On March 30 and 31, Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics Daleep Singh will be in New Delhi to continue our ongoing consultations with the Government of India, and advance a range of issues in the U.S.-India economic relationship and strategic partnership.”
Believed to be one of the key officials framing the sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle, Singh will brief the Indian establishment on the “scale and scope” of the sanctions, sources said here.
The Americans and the Europeans have been asking the Indian officials to make sure that Russia is not able to circumvent the sanctions and he will be able to convey the urgency of the implementation of sanctions, they said. He will meet officials here to strengthen cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth and prosperity, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The US official will consult closely with counterparts on the consequences of Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine and mitigate its impact on the global economy, the statement said.
Singh will also discuss the priorities of the Biden Administration, including the promotion of high-quality infrastructure through Build Back Better World and the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the statement added.
