New Delhi: The MEA on Wednesday informed a two-day visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergie Lavrov starting tomorrow. The visit comes amidst high tensions that have been making opinionated rounds amongst nations, on Moscow’s intentions to strike Ukraine.
The key focus is expected to be discussions on a payment system for New Delhi’s procurement of oil and military hardware from Moscow, media houses reported earlier citing government sources. No further details on Lavrov’s itinerary have been revealed.
There has been a flurry of high-level visits to India in the last few weeks including by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, US 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.
India and Russia have had a close relationship for decades. New Delhi, which describes Moscow as its “longstanding and time-tested friend”, sources most of its key military hardware from Russia.
Unlike other leading powers, India has abstained from voting against Russia at the UN council meeting that condemned Russia’s aggression.
It has been pressing for the resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue. In attempts to cease the assault, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7. He also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.