New Delhi:External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that Russia is turning more to Asia and parts of the world that are not West and it makes sense to give Moscow multiple options.
"Essentially a lot of doors have been shut to Russia and the West and we know the reasons why. Moscow is turning more to Asia and to parts of the world that are not West. It makes sense to give Russia multiple options. If we railroad Russia into a single option, then you are making it a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. Today, it is important for other countries in Asia to engage Russia," Jaishankar said while speaking on the third and the final day of the 9th edition of the Raisina Dialogue here.
Speaking about Russia-China relations, Jaishankar said, "On the one hand there were people who set up policies to bring the two nations together and then they say beware of the two coming together. It is certainly in Indian national interest but it is also in Global interest. A lot of doors have been shut to Russia and the West."
Russia, the Union External Affairs Minister noted is a power with an enormous tradition of statecraft. "Such power will never put them into a single relationship of an overwhelming nature".
The Minister's remarks come days he reaffirmed India's "stable and friendly ties" with Russia and said Moscow has never hurt the interests of New Delhi. The India-Russia ties have been under surveillance since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Despite sanctions on Russia by the West and Europe, India continues to purchase oil from Russia, at sizeable discounts. Meanwhile, in response to a question on whether India and China finally find a balance in their relationship, the External Affairs Minister reiterated, "Both India and China are rising at a different pace with different starting times".