Russia's foreign minister says relations with India are not the same as before

Moscow, December 8, 2020, Wednesday

India's relations with Russia were good during the Cold War with the United States. Every Indian also believed that India was a friend of Russia during this period. India has bought large quantities of arms and warplanes from Russia over the years. Even today Russia is important to India for arms procurement. Russia has also distanced itself from Pakistan so as not to offend India, but recently India's relations with Russia have not been the same as before, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

He alleged that relations between India and Russia were deteriorating, especially because of the US-led Western powers. At an event at Russia's government think tank, the International Affairs Council, Foreign Minister Lavrov blamed the United States for this and accused it of polarizing the West. He believes the US has since been pursuing a strategy of confronting China and Russia. India is being linked to playing anti-China games by promoting Indo-Pacific diplomacy and the so-called Quad area. However America believes that Kwad is not a military organization but a group of countries with collective interests and values.

Lavrov also cited a એસ 3 billion S-400 anti-missile system deal with India in October 2016. In which India took a bold step regardless of US sanctions. Regarding Foreign Minister Lavrov's statement, experts believe that relations between India and Russia were not as good as before, but Russia's own statement is serious. This statement is also being assessed in the context of Russia's need for cooperation with India.