Read what S Jaishankar says about India and Russia relations

Washington: The age-old international relations principle that a neighbor’s neighbor is fundamentally well-disposed towards you has been the ingredient for steady relations over seven decades for both India and Russia, said external affairs minister S Jaishankar, crediting early Indian diplomacy for recognizing this geopolitical fact.

The minister also reaffirmed his belief that, as a result of the Ukraine conflict, Russia will shift more towards the non-western world in general and Asia in particular.

S Jaishankar about the Delhi-Moscow connections:

When asked about Delhi-Moscow connections and his assessment of the relationship as geopolitical, as well as the rising proximity between China and Russia, Jaishankar remarked at a think tank event in Washington DC on Friday, “This approach isn’t something new.” 

This has been the primary understanding of our geopolitical situation since our independence. If three main polities dominate the world’s central landmass, how do you ensure balance, and how do you avoid an adverse balance?”

He claimed that there was a period in the late 1940s, during Stalin’s Soviet Union, that was extremely difficult for India. “However, I believe Indian diplomacy was wisely based on the basic principle of neighbor’s neighbor…your neighbor’s neighbor is intrinsically friendly to you.” 

Since the 1950s, there has been a systematic and mutual cultivation. It is not only us who think of the Soviet Union and later Russia, but Russia also thinks of India in the same way.” This, he argued, was very powerful logic “in our part of the world.”

The India-Russia connection was exceptional:

Jaishankar then stated that while every other relationship — US-Russia, China-Russia, US-China, Europe-Russia — had seen volatility and ups and downs, the India-Russia connection was “exceptional.” 

“It’s consistent.” It may not be outstanding. It may have stabilized at a certain level, but it hasn’t had the same ups and downs.”

He went on to say that, as a result of Ukraine, it was evident to him that Russia’s relations with the West had broken down and that Moscow would now focus on the Asian side of Russia. 

“You are witnessing a reinvention of Russia.” When Russia looks to Asia, much of it will naturally focus on China because it is the first and largest economy. However, India will be considered.”

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