Jaishankar's Comment On Russian Relations

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar highlighted India's strong relationship with Russia stating that Russia has never acted against India's interests since independence. 

He noted that few countries could be credited with such consistency. Jaishankar acknowledged Russia's current strained ties with the West resulting in its shift towards Asia. He emphasized that India as an Asian country should focus on what benefits its national interests. 

Jaishankar said, ""PM Modi is in Russia. If you look at our history with Russia after independence, I can say that Russia has never done anything to impact our interests negatively. There are not many countries about whom you can say this. Today, Russia's situation is different. I think Russia's relationship with the West has obviously broken down. So you have a Russia which is turning much more towards Asia...Should we, as an Asian country, not take what is good for us in the national interest? Russia as a major natural resource power has a complementarity with India at this stage of development when we are big resource consumers...You will always keep a relationship with the further away country in very, very good state..."

With Russia being rich in natural resources and India being a major consumer their relationship is complementary. Jaishankar also stressed the importance of maintaining positive relations with distant countries like Russia.