On Sunday, Russia once again pledged to strengthen its cordial relations with India, hoping that their relationship would continue to grow and diversify. The message was delivered on the 78th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In a message published on Telegram, Russia's Foreign Ministry sent greetings to "our Indian friends on our common holiday" to mark the historic relationship. The ministry stated, "We declare our optimism about further accelerating and stable progress of friendly relationships and growth of Russian-Indian relations," reports the state news agency TASS.
India-Russia diplomatic relations were formally established on April 13, 1947.
Emphasizing the basis of their alliance, the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Moscow-New Delhi relations are distinguished by trust, regular political interaction, and a special strategic partnership. "They are distinguished by a high degree of mutual trust, respect for national interests, identical or close of views on major issues of global and regional politics," it said.
The ministry pointed out that frequent high-level consultations and exchanges take place every year, focusing on the major areas of cooperation and common as well as regional challenges.
Besides political synergy, Russia emphasized that the two countries are making considerable efforts in cultural, humanitarian, trade, and economic cooperation. Nuclear power was specifically highlighted as a major area of cooperation.
Both nations, the ministry asserted, are united in their goal of creating a multipolar world based on sovereign equality and ruled by international law. "They also believe in an increased role of the Global South in economic governance mechanisms," the statement read.
Russia and India also share close collaboration on security issues and global stability via forums like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). "Russia has always backed India's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council," reiterated the ministry.
Underpinning this, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently underscored India's strategic significance in Russia's foreign policy. "Our two nations have traditional ties. We can even say that our relations have weathered the test of time. Today, Russia and India are developing their cooperation on an equal basis, founded on a genuine and mutual respect for each other and taking into consideration each other's interests," he stated.
Russia has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the May 9 celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Modi, who had last visited Moscow in July for the 22nd India-Russia summit—his first in almost five years—also visited Kazan in October to attend the BRICS summit. As part of the routine exchange of high-level visits, he has invited President Vladimir Putin to visit India. The Russian leader is likely to make the visit later this year.
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