Sky is the limit for expansion of Russia-India strategic partnership: Russian envoy Nikolay Kudashev

The sky is the limit for expansion of the Russia-India strategic partnership, Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev stated on July 14 with the two nations ramping up preparation for an annual summit in addition to the first ‘2+2’ ministerial assembly.

At a media briefing, the envoy stated the particulars of the attainable go to of President Vladimir Putin to India for the summit are being mentioned between the two sides.

“However, the epidemiological situation will be a very important factor,” he stated referring to the coronavirus disaster.

Referring to the cooperation in combating the coronavirus disaster, the Russian envoy stated that the launch of the ‘Sputnik Light’ vaccine in India is anticipated quickly.

The India and Russia annual summit was postponed final yr as a result of of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both the nations have a mechanism below which India’s Prime Minister and the Russian President maintain a summit assembly yearly to evaluation the total gamut of ties. So far, 20 annual summit conferences have taken place alternatively in India and Russia.

Bilateral cooperation

Mr. Kudashev described External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s go to to Moscow from July 7-9 as “very successful” and elaborated on bilateral cooperation in areas equivalent to atomic vitality, hydrocarbons, defence, house, commerce, finance, connectivity, improvements and healthcare.

He additionally talked about coordination between the two nations at the U.N. Security Council in addition to the convergence of views on the scenario in Afghanistan.

“Overall, the two sides once again reiterated absolutely shared approach to continue extending the Russian-Indian multidimensional strategic partnership bilaterally and multilaterally, for which sky is the limit,” Mr. Kudashev stated.

The Russian envoy stated that Mr. Jaishankar’s go to was a well timed follow-up of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s go to to India on April 6.

He stated the visits demonstrated how a lot consideration either side have been paying to fulfill the frequent need to take care of robust dynamics of bilateral high-level contacts.

Talking about the “big events” deliberate for later this yr, he stated these embrace conferences of intergovernmental commissions on commerce and financial system in addition to defence.

“The first 2+2 ministerial meeting and, of course, the summit — undoubtedly, it will be a new huge cornerstone of the special and privileged strategic partnership, which is really unique,” Mr. Kudashev stated.

BRICS summit

He additionally referred to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) summit below the Indian presidency in addition to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in September.

“The progress and new developments in key areas — atomic and hydrocarbon energy, defence, space, industry, trade, finance, connectivity, innovations and technology sharing, healthcare, education — along with incredible mutual interest to promote just and equal multipolarity — naturally make us major global partners,” the envoy stated.

“We are very successful in supporting the international efforts to fight against COVID-19. It’s a matter of pride that Sputnik V vaccine being part of the Indian vaccination campaign is gradually increasing its partnerships here,” Mr. Kudashev stated.

He stated the launch of the ‘Sputnik Light’ vaccine in India is additionally anticipated quickly.

“We are committed to continuing the discussion on mutual recognition of vaccination certificates,” he added.

Mr. Kudashev stated quite a bit of consideration was paid to advertise additional coordination in the U.N. Security Council which India might be chairing in August.

“We welcome the Indian desire to increase its involvement in the Arctic Council under the current Russian presidency. We are looking forward to the next RIC ministerial to be held by India,” he stated.

Intra-Afghan talks

Talking about the scenario in Afghanistan, Mr. Kudashev stated each India and Russia are supportive of intra-Afghan talks primarily based on commitments of the events to make sure that the future authorities might be inclusive.

“It’s critically important to support Afghans in making their country independent, sovereign, united and democratic. After the Western troops started their speedy withdrawal, regional efforts are becoming even more important,” he stated.

“As you know, these days Tajikistan is holding the SCO ministerial as well ministers-level SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group meetings. The international connectivity conference is taking place in Uzbekistan,” he added.

The envoy stated these occasions symbolize very helpful alternatives to debate the scenario.

“For sure, we will also maintain very close consultations in these and other formats as well as bilaterally in order to find ways on how we could react on the current and future developments, which are causing an increasing concern,” he stated.

Afghanistan witnessed a sequence of terror assaults in the previous few weeks as the U.S. regarded to finish the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan by August-end, ending an almost two-decade of its navy presence in the war-ravaged nation.

The unstable scenario in Afghanistan has triggered world considerations.