Jaishankar says Russia stood with India when world backed Pakistan:Moscow supported New Delhi on four issues, including Kashmir, over 70 years

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that Russia stood by India when the entire world was supporting Pakistan. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Delhi on Sunday, Jaishankar said that India-Russia relations had remained strong for a long time. Over the past 70 years, Russia has supported India on four key issues, including Kashmir. Therefore, for New Delhi, ties with Moscow are not determined solely by the current situation. When Russia stood by India 1957 – Kashmir issue: Russia, then the Soviet Union, vetoed a resolution at the UN in India’s favour. 1965 – India-Pakistan war: Russia facilitated talks between the two countries, leading to the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. 1971 – Bangladesh war: After the India-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Russia supported India at the UN. When an American warship moved towards the Bay of Bengal, the Soviet Union also sent its warships and submarines. 1999 – Kargil War: Russia supported India and asked Pakistan to respect the LoC. US isolated itself because of its policies Jaishankar also said that two major changes are visible in today’s world. First, the US’s approach towards the world is changing. Second, China is rapidly growing stronger. According to him, the US has become isolated in the world because of its policies. At the same time, China’s growing influence is intensifying competition among countries. Other countries are now also using their strength and influence to serve their interests. Jaishankar had also spoken about the US 5 days earlier On 29 September, Jaishankar had spoken about the US at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. Responding to a question about India-US relations at the event, Jaishankar said that one of India’s biggest concerns was terrorism originating from Pakistan. If the US does not fully understand this concern or recognise its seriousness, it affects India-US relations. Jaishankar says: India held talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war Jaishankar reiterated India’s longstanding position on the war in Ukraine. He said it was necessary to pursue dialogue, diplomacy and compromise to end the war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made the same point several times. In 2022, he told Russian President Vladimir Putin that this was not an era of war. Jaishankar said India was no longer limited to appealing for peace. In recent months, India has held talks with both Russia and Ukraine. These talks included issues such as the safe passage of ships in the Black Sea, exports of grain and energy, and preventing attacks on critical infrastructure.