listing improving trade relations, military-technology collaboration, education and personnel training as some of the new areas for cooperation with India, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey lavrov on Monday said the two countries plan to continue military technical cooperation on joint production of weapons.
Speaking at the Kadakin Memorial lecture at the Vivekanand Foundation, lavrov said Russia and India are also considering supplies to third countries of their jointly produced weapons.
Defending his country’s participation in China’s Belt Road Initiative, lavrov said Russia finds the concept interesting which needed to be explored in the context of building harmonious relationship for deeper regional trade and investment. On India’s opposition to the BRI, he hoped New Delhi will find a way out to benefit from the connectivity project without sacrificing its position on the issues flagged by it. “The specific problem in this regard should not make everything else conditional for resolving political differences,” lavrov said.
On a question with regard to Pakistan and terrorism, he said all countries have to act together to fight this menace without adopting double standards.
The Russian Foreign Minister also said that during their trilateral meeting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj suggested improving not only India-China ties but also India’s relations with Pakistan. He said that Russia will be ready to support Pakistan government’s effort in combating terrorism.