St Petersburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping Both are “responsible leaders” who are capable of resolving issues between the two countries. He said it was important that “no power outside the region” should interfere in the process.
Russia’s partnership with India, no contradiction in the relationship between Moscow and Beijing
Amid Russia’s publicly criticizing the four-nation grouping of the Quad (India, the US, Japan, and Australia), Putin told PTI how a nation should participate in an initiative and how they should be able to support other countries. It is not for Moscow to assess the extent to which relations should be established with one, but no partnership should be for the purpose of uniting against another. Putin’s remarks in response to a question about Moscow’s opinion on the Quad and India’s inclusion in the grouping came in the backdrop of China’s claim that the grouping of nations was bridging Beijing’s influence in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. designed to control. He stressed that there is no “contradiction” between Russia’s partnership with India and the relationship between Moscow and Beijing.
I am aware of the position of both the Prime Minister of India and the President of China: Putin
Putin told in digital dialogue with the help of an interpreter, “Yes, I know there are some issues related to relations between India and China, but there are always many issues between neighboring countries. However, I am aware of the position of both the Prime Minister of India and the President of China. They are very responsible people and treat each other with determination and full respect. I am sure that any issue that comes to the fore, they will find a solution for it.” “But it is important that no power outside the region should interfere in this,” he said. On May 5 last year, there was a standoff between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh. It was the first time in 45 years that soldiers from both sides were killed during the standoff. However, limited progress has been made on the withdrawal of troops from the Pangong Lake area and talks remain deadlocked on taking similar steps at other points of the confrontation.
We have very deep and strong relations with India
Responding to a question on the growing closeness between Russia and China and its impact on India-Russia security and defense cooperation, Putin said that the relations between India and Russia are growing rapidly and successfully and these relations The basis of ‘faith’. “We deeply appreciate this high level of cooperation with our Indian friends. These relations are of strategic nature. We have wide cooperation in many fields from economy to energy, high technology. As far as the defense sector is concerned, I do not mean just Russian arms purchases… We have a very deep and strong relationship with India, which is based on trust.
Working together to produce state-of-the-art weapon systems and technologies in India
Putin stressed that India and Russia are working together to produce state-of-the-art weapon systems and technologies, especially in India, and India is Russia’s only partner in this regard. But our cooperation is not limited to this only, but it is multifaceted, he said. In conversation with select top editors of some of the world’s leading international news agencies including US, India, UK, Germany and France, the Russian President answered questions on various topics including Russia-US relations, pandemic situation, US sanctions against Russia. and subjects such as Gaza.
We are not joining the Quad: Putin
Asked about Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s criticism of the Quad as “Asian NATO” and his opinion on India’s participation in the grouping, Putin said, “We are not joining the Quad and no one else.” It is not mine to assess the country’s involvement in any initiative, each sovereign nation has the right to decide with whom and to what extent they wish to enhance their relations. All I believe is that the purpose of any partnership between countries should not be mobilization against any other nation, not at all.”
Did not impose sanctions against America, America did it on every occasion
Ahead of his proposed first summit with US President Joe Biden on June 16, the former Russian president said he was not expecting any major breakthroughs. “We are not taking the first step. I am talking about the steps which spoiled our relationship. We didn’t impose sanctions against America, America did it on every occasion and that too without any basis.
