New Delhi: The war between Russia and Ukraine (Russia-Ukraine War) continues. In such a situation, the role of India is going to be very special. In trying to stop the war, India can once again emerge as a peace ambassador. The sudden visit of Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to India is an important step in this direction. Lavrov will come to Delhi this week, but the date is not fixed. At the same time, Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is reaching India on 2 April.
This will be India’s highest-level visit from Russia since Moscow launched a military offensive against Ukraine on February 24. There has been no official statement from the Foreign Ministry or the Russian Foreign Ministry on the proposed visit.
In the past few weeks, there have been several high-level visits to India including Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, and Foreign Ministers of Austria and Greece. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is scheduled to visit India on Thursday.
Possibility to discuss these issues
Regarding Lavrov’s proposed visit, the people cited above said that the main focus during this period is likely to be on the payment system for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil and military equipment. Western sanctions on Russia have created difficulties in making payments to that country. It is learned that both parties are considering activating the rupee-ruble payment system.
Unlike many other major powers, India has not yet criticized Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and has refrained from voting in UN forums on resolutions condemning the Russian invasion.
Let us tell you that India is already making efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held two lengthy telephonic conversations with Putin and Zelensky in the last month. India has good relations with Russia. Similarly, India has a closeness to America standing behind Ukraine. In the current global situation, both Russia and America need India, so India’s role in resolving the dispute becomes important.
