MEA S Jaishankar Reacts to Western Media’s Reaction to His Visit to Russia, Saying “If People Can’t Read Me…”

S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, said on Monday that New Delhi’s connections with Moscow had been advantageous. He restated the importance and stability of the country’s relationship with Russia.

Jaishankar pushed for India to treat other nations with consideration during an interview with the news agency ANI.

In response to the Western media’s coverage of his five-day tour to Russia, Jaishankar said, “If people can’t read me, that means my mind games are working.”

But the truth is, he said, “we have always maintained that the Russia relationship is a very important one, very steady one, so I see no reason why people should take any of what was happening other than at face value.”

It is important to note that India has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine crisis while still supporting diplomatic talks as a means of resolving it. In 2021, Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s stance on the conflict by stating, “This is not an era of war.”

Jaishankar pointed out that he has emphasized the significance of India’s ties with Russia several times. “I mentioned it in Moscow, and I’ve written about it in my book.” We appreciate this connection, as I said in public in Moscow even before my meeting with President Putin had place. India has benefited greatly from this partnership, the former official said.

President Putin was greeted by Jaishankar in the Kremlin earlier in December when he was in Russia for a five-day official visit. He also had meetings with Russia’s Deputy PM Denis Manturov and his colleague Sergey Lavrov.

Jaishankar had said during his tour as well that there is much more to the relationship between Russia and India than simply trade or diplomacy.

Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an invitation from the Russian President to come to Russia in 2019. “We are excited to have our friend, Prime Minister Modi, visit Russia,” Putin said when he met Jaishankar. Putin was cited as adding that “we will be able to discuss all the relevant, current issues and talk to the prospects of the Russian and Indian relationship” during his visit.

After their meeting, Jaishankar discussed the advantages of their partnership for both countries, referring to Russia as India’s “valued and time-tested” partner.

“I think I must have been reacting to how I was asked that particular question and I know that it is not your intent,” Jaishankar said in reference to the relations between Russia and India. Russia is a very valuable partner for us.

It’s a partner with a lot of experience. Both India and Russia have profited much from this partnership, as seen by my presence here today and the fact that you are aware of all the things I have mentioned, such as our expanding trade, investments, military-technical cooperation, and connectivity projects. All of this, I believe, will help you understand the significance and worth we place on our relationship,” he said.

He pointed out that because to India’s G20 Presidency and other final-year engagements, PM Modi and President Putin were unable to have their annual meeting last year.

“As someone who has witnessed it over the last ten years, I can attest to its enormous value,” Jaishankar said. “I believe my colleague has seen it for longer and could confirm what I am saying. We value the tradition of annual meetings between our leaders very much.” It is not, in my opinion, a problem with the summits continuing. We had some concerns at the end of the year due to our G20 chairmanship this year.

Russia and India have maintained a close relationship despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. In fact, despite growing apprehension over it in many Western nations, India’s imports of Russian crude oil have increased dramatically.