New Delhi and Moscow have consistently shown a commitment to each others core interests, S. Jaishankar has said

India "immensely values" its strong relations with Russia, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said on Thursday in a video address to the Russia and India Conference in Moscow.

Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to nurturing ties between the two countries, telling the conference that "we remain committed to exploring new frontiers and strengthening our partnership in today's rapidly evolving global order."

Despite the volatile global geopolitical situation, New Delhi and Moscow have consistently "shown a commitment to each other's core interests," the foreign minister added.

Jaishankar noted that the two nations had demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt and find new opportunities for mutual benefit, contributing to regional and global stability. "The era of multipolarity necessitates greater cooperation between India and Russia, and both nations are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of international relations," he told the conference, which was organized by the Russian International Affairs Council.

India's diplomatic maneuvering has allowed it to maintain a delicate balance between its relationships with the US, Europe, and Russia. Despite facing pressure from Western nations over the Ukraine conflict, New Delhi remains resolute in its stance, asserting that its relations with Moscow are driven by its strategic security and economic interests.

Jaishankar emphasized that while areas such as energy, defense, and civil nuclear cooperation have traditionally dominated engagements with Russia, new areas of collaboration are emerging, including trade, technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, and regional economy.

The foreign minister also highlighted the ambitious target set by both countries to increase bilateral trade when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last year. Moscow and New Delhi agreed to bring bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, after seeing a significant increase in trade in 2022-23, according to government data.

The public exhibition offriendshipbetween the two countries continued from earlier this month, when billboards featuring Modi and Putin appeared in New Delhi when the Indian capital hosted its annual geopolitical gathering. The Russian president is set to visit India later this year for a bilateral summit with Modi.

(RT.com)