Russia today said it would welcome any peace efforts by India to end the Ukraine conflict, noting that Moscow’s strategy aligns closely with New Delhi’s position for a resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Addressing media at a virtual briefing in New Delhi this afternoon ahead of the BRICS Summit, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said they know the position of India on the Ukrainian conflict.
To a great extent, it corresponds with their own position because they do want the solution to the Ukraine conflict by peaceful means, and Russia is open for this process.
Mr. Peskov said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of BRICS Summit.
He said, both leaders are expected to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Mr Peskov added that that it will also be an opportunity for President Putin to inform Prime Minister Modi about the situation on the war with Ukraine.
He said both leaders are in close personal contact and very pragmatic in their relationship. He said both leaders are able to discuss sensitive matters in open and constructive ways.
Replying to a question on trade imbalance netween India and Russia, the Kremlin spokesman said Indian side has raised the issue of trade deficit with Russian side.
He further stated that in order to address this imbalance, Russian businesses and companies are now looking for additional goods that can be purchased from India and joint projects that could be launched in India.
On import of Russian energy by India, Mr Peskov stated that a new record is set every month but refused to give exact figures. He called sanctions against countries trading with Russia as unacceptable and illegal.
He emphasised that it is illegal to attempt to introduce limitations on international trade and to threaten other countries and third parties for doing trade with others.
Replying to another query, Mr Peskov maintained that BRICS is against no one. He said BRICS is for participating countries, and for their national interests.
He said cooperation in BRICS is based on mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual benefits and trade. He added that these ideals are shared by all the member states.
The Kremlin spokesman said that AI would be high on the agenda during the BRICS Summit. He said Russia considers India to be very important partner in the global majority.