Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov concluded his visit to India in Moscow, his second visit to India this year and his fourth meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. During the two-day visit, Lavrov had in-depth exchanges with Jaishankar on bilateral relations, regional and international issues, and co-chaired a meeting of the Russian-Indian Foreign Ministers' Committee. During the visit, Lavrov reiterated that Russia supports India's entry into a permanent member of the UN Security Council, that India is Russia's special strategic partner, and that Russian-Indian relations are an important factor in today's world.
According to the news released by Russia, Lavrov and Jaishankar spoke highly of the development of Russian-Indian relations during the talks, believing that the cooperation between the two sides in the political, economic, military, scientific and technological, and cultural fields is strategic, mutually beneficial and diverse. The two sides also held consultations on the exchange of visits between the heads of state of Russia and India next year, and decided on a series of important cooperation items and agendas.
On regional and international issues, Lavrov and S Jaishankar exchanged views on hotspot issues such as Afghanistan, Syria, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Korean Peninsula, and the Middle East and North Africa, and expressed their willingness to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the G20, the BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, uphold multilateralism and international law, oppose unilateral sanctions and interference in internal affairs, and promote the building of a more just and democratic international order.
On the issue of UN Security Council reform, Lavrov reiterated that Russia supports India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and believes that India, as the world's largest democracy and the second most populous country, has rich diplomatic experience and influence, and is a reasonable candidate for UN Security Council reform. Lavrov said that Russia will continue to work with India and other countries to find a "package" solution to the reform of the UN Security Council through democratic consultations and reach the broadest agreement.
Jaishankar welcomed Lavrov's visit and thanked Russia for its support for India, saying that Russia is a special strategic partner of India and that India-Russia relations are unique partnerships based on shared values, interests and goals. Jaishankar said that India attaches great importance to cooperation with Russia and is willing to deepen bilateral relations at all levels and in all fields, enhance political mutual trust, expand economic and trade exchanges, strengthen security cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges.
Jaishankar also said that India appreciates Russia's active role in international affairs, especially in the areas of responding to the pandemic, maintaining regional stability, countering terrorism and combating extremism. India supports Russia's initiatives on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the G20, the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with Russia on issues of common concern and jointly maintain international peace and security.
Lavrov's visit comes against the backdrop of India's increasingly active Quadrilateral Security Dialogue mechanism with the United States, Japan and Australia. Some analysts believe that India's increased cooperation with the countries of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue may affect its traditional friendly relations with Russia. However, the talks between Lavrov and Jaishankar showed that Russian-Indian relations remain strong and that the two sides are aligned on major issues without interference from third parties.
Russian-Indian relations are an important factor in today's world, and cooperation between the two countries is not only conducive to the development and interests of both sides, but also conducive to regional and world peace and stability. Russia's support for India reflects Russia's respect and trust for India and Russia's positive attitude toward UN reform. India's gratitude to Russia reflects India's friendship and cooperation with Russia, as well as India's adherence to multilateralism and international law. The development of Russian-Indian relations will provide a powerful support and impetus for promoting the democratization and diversification of international relations.