India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has defended New Delhi’s longstanding strategic and economic ties with Moscow, saying historical relations and national interests shape India’s foreign policy rather than Western geopolitical alignments.
Speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting on the future of India-Russia relations, Jaishankar said the two countries had maintained strong ties since the 1950s and that the legacy of those relations continued to influence the relationship.
“India and Russia have historically very good relations, particularly since the 1950s. That history is not forgotten,” Jaishankar said.
He said the Soviet Union had stood by India in many ways when its security and territorial integrity were under threat, particularly at a time when much of the world preferred backing a military regime next to India.