Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov amid international pressure to take a stance against Russia

New Delhi:

This evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an important gesture in the context of international pressure on India to counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Modi and the Russian Foreign Minister met for 40 minutes.

The Prime Minister has not met publicly with any other Ministers in the past two weeks, including from Britain, China, Austria, Greece and Mexico.

Earlier today, Lavrov said he wanted to convey a “personal message” from President Vladimir Putin to Prime Minister Modi.

“The President (Putin) and the Prime Minister are in regular contact and I will report to the President on my negotiations. He sends his warmest greetings to Prime Minister Modi and I look forward to the opportunity. to send this message personally”, the Russian Foreign Minister opened the discussion with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar.

The Russian minister’s visit comes as India is under great pressure over its oil imports from Russia, with the US warning of “consequences” for countries trying to circumvent US sanctions on Russia. Moscow.

Reports suggest that India is able to buy a larger discount of Russian oil and both sides are eager for a ruble-rupee deal for bilateral trade.

Hours before Lavrov’s arrival, US Deputy National Security Secretary Daleep Singh warned that there would be consequences for countries actively trying to “dodge or fill” US sanctions on Moscow.

“I came here in a spirit of friendship to explain the mechanics of our sanctions, the importance of joining us to show common resolve and advance the common good. And yes, there is consequences for countries actively trying to circumvent or cover up these sanctions,” Daleep Singh said in response to a question about India buying discount oil from Russia.

A Bloomberg report Russia is offering India a sharp discount on its direct sales of oil amid growing international pressure.

India has yet to publicly criticize Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and it abstained at the United Nations on resolutions condemning Russia. But last week, India abstained from a Russia-promoted resolution on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, which was seen as reflecting the country’s neutral stance on the conflict.

The Russian foreign minister praised India’s stance. “These days, our Western colleagues want to ease any significant international problems with respect to the crisis in Ukraine…said,” Mr. Lavrov said.

Regarding the possibility of Prime Minister Modi being the mediator in the Ukraine crisis, he said, “India is an important and serious country. If India plays that role to provide a solution, India as a country is. as our mutual partner…we will ensure Ukraine’s security…the West has ignored its responsibilities… India can assist in such a process”.