New Delhi (NVI): Amidst the military face-off between India and China, Russia today said it has “special but independent relations” with both the countries and “would encourage our largest Asian partners to resolve differences by constructive dialogue.”
A press release issued by the Russian Embassy here said, “Disagreements between India and China don’t benefit both sides, but provide some dishonest elements with an opportunity to interfere in their bilateral dialogue.”
Making it clear that it will take no sides, Russia said, “We are confident that both countries (India and China), well-known with their ancient history and wisdom, are capable of dealing with the problem on their own.”
It added, “Professional experts on the Russian foreign policy may wish to agree that Russia doesn’t develop any relations at the expense of other countries. Russia doesn’t practice a hidden agenda, interference in domestic affairs and regime change efforts as well as illegal unilateral sanctions.”
This comes as India and China are locked in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation on the Ladakh border in the wake of Chinese aggression launched in May this year with an aim of altering the Line of Actual Control.
Describing the Russian-Indian as “unique”, press release said, “It is true that Indians think that Russians are India’s permanent friends. It is the same for the Russians.”
It particularly referred to the COVID-19 pandemic situation and said, “We are witnessing how much our mutual support means when it comes to helping repatriation of national of both countries, supplies of vital medicines as well as deep cooperation on vaccines.”
Noting that the Russian-Indian strategic partnership is crossing the 20th anniversary this year, it said, “Russia enjoys productive and trusted relations with all political forces” of India.
“While major early bilateral steps were made when the Indian National Congress was in power (establishing diplomatic ties even before the Indian independence was officially announced; large contribution in the accelerated industrialization; mutual support in crucial events of the Cold war, including in 1971), the Declaration of the Strategic Partnership was signed during the tenure of the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which took our cooperation forward,” the press release said.
“Now we can speak about indeed special partnership, which becomes a source of support of national development strategies of both countries, including ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ — be it unparalleled joint endeavors in nuclear power sector or trusted defence cooperation with real technology transfer, advanced localization of production and even cooperation with third countries,” it said.
The Embassy said coinciding global priorities make Russia and India truly like-minded.
“Our multilateral partnership in the framework of G20, BRICS, SCO, etc. is based on the solid ground of our common priority to proceed towards just and equal multipolar world with the central role of the United Nations and international law as well as undivided security,” it said.
