Russia stood by India when much of the world backed Pakistan: S Jaishankar

In a veiled response to Western questioning of India's ties with Moscow, Jaishankar said each country judged relationships through its own experience.

In Short

• He says historical experience continues to shape New Delhi's foreign policy choices
• He recalls Soviet backing when many countries supported Pakistan's military regime
• US and Europe have criticised India's Russian oil imports during Ukraine war

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reaffirmed India’s ties with Russia amid Western criticism, saying Moscow has stood by New Delhi when its security and territorial integrity have come under threat.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in New Delhi, Jaishankar said the two countries have historically enjoyed good relations, and that experience continues to shape their ties.

“People don’t forget good history or bad history,” he said.

He recalled support from Russia and the Soviet Union, particularly since the 1950s, when much of the world backed Pakistan’s military regime.

The remarks alluded to Soviet support for India during the 1971 war with Pakistan, when Washington sent a naval task force to the Bay of Bengal in support of Islamabad.

INDIA’S OWN EXPERIENCE WITH RUSSIA

In a veiled response to Western questioning of India’s ties with Moscow, Jaishankar said each country judges relationships through its own experience.

Just as Europe cannot be expected to adopt India’s view of Russia, he argued that New Delhi’s choices reflect its own history with Moscow.

“India’s experience has been positive and consistently positive,” he said.

Jaishankar said the partnership has evolved since the 1970s and 1980s, with trade, energy and resources playing a growing role alongside military and nuclear cooperation.

INDIA DEFENDS RUSSIAN OIL PURCHASES

His remarks come amid US and European criticism of India’s continued engagement with Russia, particularly its oil purchases during the Ukraine war.

The Ministry of External Affairs has called the criticism “unjustified and unreasonable”, saying Washington had initially encouraged India to buy Russian oil to stabilise global markets.

Jaishankar’s comments came on a day when he briefed a parliamentary consultative committee on plans to expand trade, investment and energy cooperation with Russia.

He told the panel that India’s priority is to safeguard consumers’ interests. “Our approach is to maintain multiple sources of supply,” people familiar with the meeting quoted him as saying.

TALKS TO END UKRAINE WAR

On Ukraine, Jaishankar reiterated India’s call for an end to the war through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations.

He said New Delhi has gone beyond advocating peace in recent months and held talks with both Russia and Ukraine. These have covered attacks on Black Sea shipping, grain imports, energy exports and strikes on critical infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly conveyed India’s position, telling Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022 that “today’s era is not an era of war”.

At the committee meeting, Jaishankar also recalled PM Modi’s more recent message to Putin that “endless war must now give way to end of war”.

- Ends