India Defends Russia Ties, Jaishankar Cites Support During Crises

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly defended India's relationship with Russia amid Western pressure, stating Russia has stood by India during challenges to its security and territorial integrity. He spoke at the Munich Security Conference in New Delhi. Jaishankar highlighted Russia's support during the 1971 India-Pakistan war when the Soviet Union backed India while the US supported Pakistan. He noted India's relationship with Russia is shaped by historical experiences, including support when many countries backed Pakistan's military regime. Jaishankar said India's experience with Russia has been consistently positive, and India cannot be expected to adopt Europe's perspective on Russia. He acknowledged the relationship has evolved beyond the 1970s-80s, now focusing on trade, energy, and resources, while India continues diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war.