Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow and New Delhi have stood strong against "colonial practices like unilateral sanctions" as he held wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on Wednesday (March 1).&nbsp;

The Russian foreign minister said that Moscow and New Delhi are consistent opponents of neo-colonial practices such as illegal unilateral sanctions, threats, blackmail and other forms of pressure on sovereign states.&nbsp;

Lavrov spoke at the opening ceremony of the Tolstoy-Gandhi exhibition in New Delhi a day before attending the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in the Indian national capital.&nbsp;

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The two ministers discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and other issues of mutual interest. They also talked about the G20 foreign ministers' meeting.&nbsp;

Lavrov said that this year India and Russia will mark two events of significance to both Russia and India, which is the 195th birth anniversary of the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and the 75th anniversary of the tragic death of Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp;

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Lavrov said, "It is becoming increasingly important now to study the rich legacy of our countries' public figures and moral leaders. We appreciate the substantial creative potential of India's G20 Presidency and its theme on the unity of nations and common future for humanity, which resonates with the philosophy of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi."&nbsp;

He added that India and Russia&nbsp;have been consistently advocating "respect for the cultural and civilisational diversity of the modern world and the inalienable right of nations to independently choose their development paths".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow and New Delhi have stood strong against "colonial practices like unilateral sanctions" as he held wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on Wednesday (March 1).

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow and New Delhi have stood strong against "colonial practices like unilateral sanctions" as he held wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on Wednesday (March 1). The Russian foreign minister said that Moscow and New Delhi are consistent opponents of neo-colonial practices such as illegal unilateral sanctions, threats, blackmail and other forms of pressure on sovereign states. Lavrov spoke at the opening ceremony of the Tolstoy-Gandhi exhibition in New Delhi a day before attending the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in the Indian national capital. ALSO READ | UK raises issue of BBC tax searches. Here's what India said - 5 points The two ministers discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and other issues of mutual interest. They also talked about the G20 foreign ministers' meeting. Lavrov said that this year India and Russia will mark two events of significance to both Russia and India, which is the 195th birth anniversary of the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and the 75th anniversary of the tragic death of Mahatma Gandhi. WATCH | G20 challenge: Reaching a consensus on Ukraine × Lavrov said, "It is becoming increasingly important now to study the rich legacy of our countries' public figures and moral leaders. We appreciate the substantial creative potential of India's G20 Presidency and its theme on the unity of nations and common future for humanity, which resonates with the philosophy of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi." He added that India and Russia have been consistently advocating "respect for the cultural and civilisational diversity of the modern world and the inalienable right of nations to independently choose their development paths". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Lavrov says India and Russia stand strong against 'colonial practices like unilateral sanctions'

Speaking yet again on the Indo Pacific vision, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on Monday, in response to a question recalled his conversation with his "good friend" External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. "Our Indian colleagues fully understand that some countries would like to use the Indo-Pacific concept in a manner which is not inclusive and is confrontational," he said.

Pointing out Russian concerns on Indo-Pacific vision especially on it "undermining the central role of ASEAN in the Asia-Pacific region", he explained that, "I know that India is not going to move this Indo-Pacific cooperation in a way which would be not positive and constructive." Indo Pacific vision is backed by India and Washington, along with other countries such as Japan and Australia. The Chinese are suspicious of it, believing it is aimed at encircling it.&nbsp;

Highlighting the absence of no common Indo Pacific vision, the Russian foreign minister said, "We don’t believe that it is just a terminological change" because "if you take it literally, from the geographical point of view, then 'Indo'&nbsp;means all littoral states of the Indian Ocean, but East Africa, we are told, is not included in the Indo-Pacific strategy. The Persian Gulf, which is a part of the Indian Ocean, is not included in the Indo-Pacific strategy" but "what is included, as the American sponsors of this concept say repeatedly, is the 'Quad'&nbsp;— India, Australia, Japan and USA”.&nbsp;

Interestingly, he pointed out to his previous statement on Indo pacific, clarifying, "Some of my previous statements on this issue have been widely discussed in India, by media which are not very friendly towards the Indian Government, but we don’t want any misunderstanding with our friends — the Indian people."

He had in December said, that "India is currently an object of the Western countries’ persistent, aggressive and devious policy" on the "anti-China games by promoting Indo Pacific strategies", something that was seen as harsh criticism.

While he did reiterate Russian views on the Indo Pacific, he reaffirmed the long-standing Moscow-New Delhi ties. Calling India, "very close, very strategic, very special, and very privileged partner", Lavrov said, "take the spheres of economy, innovation, military-technical and High-Tech cooperation. India is one of our closest partners on all these issues."

India and Russia have a special and privileged strategic partnership. Russia and India have an annual summit-level mechanism that alternates between the two countries. The only other country with which India shares this mechanism is Japan.

He made remarks on the current India China standoff as well, saying, "we are doing the utmost to make sure that India and China, our two great friends and brothers, live in peace with each other."

All the three countries are part of the BRICS, SCO and RIC groupings. While Russia was the host of RIC or Russia, India and China grouping in 2020, this year India will be hosting meetings of the grouping. He also assured that "in no way our closest cooperation and partnership with India is going to be affected" vis a vis Moscow's ties with China.

Speaking yet again on the Indo Pacific vision, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on Monday, in response to a question recalled his conversation with his "good friend" External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.

Speaking yet again on the Indo Pacific vision, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on Monday, in response to a question recalled his conversation with his "good friend" External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. "Our Indian colleagues fully understand that some countries would like to use the Indo-Pacific concept in a manner which is not inclusive and is confrontational," he said. Pointing out Russian concerns on Indo-Pacific vision especially on it "undermining the central role of ASEAN in the Asia-Pacific region", he explained that, "I know that India is not going to move this Indo-Pacific cooperation in a way which would be not positive and constructive." Indo Pacific vision is backed by India and Washington, along with other countries such as Japan and Australia. The Chinese are suspicious of it, believing it is aimed at encircling it. Highlighting the absence of no common Indo Pacific vision, the Russian foreign minister said, "We don’t believe that it is just a terminological change" because "if you take it literally, from the geographical point of view, then 'Indo' means all littoral states of the Indian Ocean, but East Africa, we are told, is not included in the Indo-Pacific strategy. The Persian Gulf, which is a part of the Indian Ocean, is not included in the Indo-Pacific strategy" but "what is included, as the American sponsors of this concept say repeatedly, is the 'Quad' — India, Australia, Japan and USA”. Interestingly, he pointed out to his previous statement on Indo pacific, clarifying, "Some of my previous statements on this issue have been widely discussed in India, by media which are not very friendly towards the Indian Government, but we don’t want any misunderstanding with our friends — the Indian people." He had in December said, that "India is currently an object of the Western countries’ persistent, aggressive and devious policy" on the "anti-China games by promoting Indo Pacific strategies", something that was seen as harsh criticism. While he did reiterate Russian views on the Indo Pacific, he reaffirmed the long-standing Moscow-New Delhi ties. Calling India, "very close, very strategic, very special, and very privileged partner", Lavrov said, "take the spheres of economy, innovation, military-technical and High-Tech cooperation. India is one of our closest partners on all these issues." India and Russia have a special and privileged strategic partnership. Russia and India have an annual summit-level mechanism that alternates between the two countries. The only other country with which India shares this mechanism is Japan. He made remarks on the current India China standoff as well, saying, "we are doing the utmost to make sure that India and China, our two great friends and brothers, live in peace with each other." All the three countries are part of the BRICS, SCO and RIC groupings. While Russia was the host of RIC or Russia, India and China grouping in 2020, this year India will be hosting meetings of the grouping. He also assured that "in no way our closest cooperation and partnership with India is going to be affected" vis a vis Moscow's ties with China.

Russian FM calls India 'very close partner'; says discussed Indo-Pacific with 'good friend' Jaishankar

External affairs minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with Russian Foriegn minister Sergey Lavrov in Russian capital Moscow on Wednesday on the developing situation in Afghanistan &amp; Iran and situation in gulf. Both countries have stakes in the west asia and any development can impact India's energy interest. 
&nbsp; 
"They will discuss... efforts to preserve the joint comprehensive plan of action on Iranian nuclear programme, developments in the persion gulf area and situation in Afghanistan", Maria Zakharova, spokesperson of russian foriegn ministry said. 
&nbsp; 
The visit comes even just ahead of PM Modi's visit to Russia in the first week of September to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum. 
&nbsp; 
"They will focus on the preparations for the Indian delegation's participation in the 5th eastern economic forum and the annual summit. Important thematic sections include trade, investment , military, science and technology cooperation, the use of national currencies for mutual payments and prospective projects in space exploration and energy", Zakharova added. 
&nbsp; 
India and Russia hold annual summit, the last happened in 2018 at Delhi when the mega S400 deal was announced.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Russia will also be helping India in its first manned mission to space —Gaganyaan.&nbsp;Russia's space agency Roscosmos&nbsp;will training four Indian astronauts of which three will be selected to go onboard India's human spaceflight programme. 
&nbsp; 
Moscow has supported India on Kashmir. It was&nbsp;the first member of the permanent five of the United Nations security council to back New Delhi's decision to remove the special status&nbsp;for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. 
&nbsp; 
The&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;ministry of foreign affairs, in response to a question, said," change in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and its division into two union territories are carried out within the&nbsp;framework of the Constitution of the Republic of India".

External affairs minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with Russian Foriegn minister Sergey Lavrov in Russian capital Moscow on Wednesday on the developing situation in Afghanistan & Iran and situation in gulf.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with Russian Foriegn minister Sergey Lavrov in Russian capital Moscow on Wednesday on the developing situation in Afghanistan & Iran and situation in gulf. Both countries have stakes in the west asia and any development can impact India's energy interest. "They will discuss... efforts to preserve the joint comprehensive plan of action on Iranian nuclear programme, developments in the persion gulf area and situation in Afghanistan", Maria Zakharova, spokesperson of russian foriegn ministry said. The visit comes even just ahead of PM Modi's visit to Russia in the first week of September to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum. "They will focus on the preparations for the Indian delegation's participation in the 5th eastern economic forum and the annual summit. Important thematic sections include trade, investment , military, science and technology cooperation, the use of national currencies for mutual payments and prospective projects in space exploration and energy", Zakharova added. India and Russia hold annual summit, the last happened in 2018 at Delhi when the mega S400 deal was announced. Russia will also be helping India in its first manned mission to space —Gaganyaan. Russia's space agency Roscosmos will training four Indian astronauts of which three will be selected to go onboard India's human spaceflight programme. Moscow has supported India on Kashmir. It was the first member of the permanent five of the United Nations security council to back New Delhi's decision to remove the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Russia ministry of foreign affairs, in response to a question, said," change in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and its division into two union territories are carried out within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of India".

Afghanistan, Iran to dominate Jaishankar-Lavrov talks in Moscow