Moscow [Russia], December 27 (ANI): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday expressed Russia’s willingness to support India’s initiative to produce military products as part of ‘Made In India’ program. Lavrov said he and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the meeting have taken a number of steps that will expand cooperation between India and Russia, including the launch of the North-South International Transport Corridor as well as establishment of the Chennai Vladivostok route.

While addressing a press conference after his meeting with Jaishankar, Lavrov said, “We have also discussed the prospects of military and technical cooperation, including the joint production of modern weaponry. We also have specific steps in the area. Our cooperation is of strategic nature, strengthening it corresponds to the national interests of states, the interests of Security in the Eurasian continent.”

“As mentioned before, we are respectful of the aspiration of our Indian colleagues to diversify their military and technical links. We also understand and hence we are ready to support their initiative to produce military products as part of the ‘Made in India’ program. We stand ready to cooperate in this area. We have reaffirmed our aspiration to strengthen energy cooperation,” he added.

Lavrov said he and Jaishankar agreed to expand legal framework of India-Russia relations, in particular to accelerate the adoption of the agreement on the mutual protection of investment. “Today we have taken a number of steps that would allow us to expand cooperation including in the upcoming launch of the North-South International Transport Corridor as well as establishment of the Chennai Vladivostok route and the cooperation on the expansion of the Northern Sea Route which is a very promising area,” Lavrov said.

“We have also agreed to expand the legal framework of our relationship in particular to accelerate the adoption of the agreement on the mutual protection of investment and another important document, namely the upcoming agreement on the free trade area between India and the Eurasian Economic Union,” he added.

Lavrov said specific agreements between India and Russia have been reached to deepen trade in economic and investment links as well as other areas of cooperation. He said talks between Jaishankar and Russian leaders have confirmed that the ties between India and Russia are based on confidential nature of mutual respect and not subject to any political frameworks.

He said, ” Yesterday, the distinguished minister as the co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission also held talks with the Russian co-chair of the Commission, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov. Today we have taken notice of the good outcomes of those talks. Specific agreements have been reached to deepen our trade in economic and investment links and other areas of cooperation that fall within the competence of the Intergovernmental Commission.”

Speaking about the ties between India and Russia, Lavrov said, “Yesterday talks and our today’s meeting confirm that the relations between Moscow and New Delhi are based on the confidential nature of mutual respect. They are not subject to any political fluctuations. They truly reflect the character of our partnership, a special priviliged strategic partnership as stated in a document signed by our leadership.

“We have spoken out in favour of continued political dialogue which is required to strengthen our relations on a sustainable basis. We have paid special attention to the matters of building up practical cooperation in addition to the agreements that had been reached yesterday as part of the session of the Intergovernmental Commission,” he added.

Lavrov made the remarks after he held a meeting with Jaishankar, who is in Russia for a five-day visit. The two leaders met at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reception House in Moscow. In his opening remarks at the meeting, EAM Jaishankar said, “Our relationship have been very strong, very steady. And I think we have lived up to a special and privileged strategic partnership. This year we have already met 6 times, and this is our 7th meet. Our Prime Minister and President Putin have also been in frequent contact. We expect a strong Russian participation at the Vibrant Gujarat meeting in January.” (ANI)

“India, Russia interested in open, fair political, economic system for everyone”: Sergey Lavrov

Moscow [Russia], December 27 (ANI): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that the long India-Russia relationship is moving consistently, adding that both New Delhi and Moscow are interested in having an “open and fair political and economic system” for everyone. He further said that the agreements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin have laid the foundation of a reliable India-Russia relationship.

Lavrov made the remarks during his opening remarks at the bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Moscow on Wednesday. “Our relationship is very long and very good and it’s good to see they are moving consistently in the present moment. We have a reliable partnership and it’s been confirmed by our bilateral relations based on the agreements by Prime Minister Modi and President Putin,” Lavrov said.

The Russian Foreign Minister further said that the quality of the India-Russia relationship is confirmed by their multilateral cooperation at the groupings of UN, BRICS, SCO and the G20. Stating that both New Delhi and Moscow are interested in an open and fair political and economic system for everyone, Lavrov added that the two leaders look forward to making sure that the decisions of our authorities are complied with as efficiently as possible.

“We share common principles of respect for the principles for the United Nations and in charter of all the complexity of its principles. Both India and Russia are interested in open and fair political and economic system for everyone. Our leaders set the track for the entire spectrum of relations,” Lavrov said.

He added, “We have close cooperation between our foreign ministries, other ministries of government and the Security Council. We also share parliamentary and educational links and…relations that are supported by our citizens. Today we have an important task to see what else can be done to make sure that the decision of ours authorities are complied with as efficiently as possible”.

EAM Jaishankar during his remarks said that the India-Russia relationship has been very strong and steady and the two leaders will focus on our bilateral cooperation in different spheres. “Our relationship has been very strong, very steady. And I think we have lived up to a special and privileged strategic partnership. This year we have already met 6 times, and this is our 7th meet. Our Prime Minister and President Putin have also been in frequent contact. We expect a strong Russian participation at the Vibrant Gujarat meeting in January,” Jaishankar said.

He added, “Today we will focus on our bilateral cooperation in different spheres, adjusting it to changing circumstances and demands. We will discuss the international strategic situation, conflicts and tensions”. (ANI)