Russia’s vision is clear that mutual cooperation should increase, global governance should be democratized, it should be agreed that all countries should get financial, natural and technological resources equally, the growing difference in development of different countries should be reduced. All these issues figure in the Indian priorities for the G-20 summit under the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam concept. India got an opportunity to play the role of a global leader, we will extend our full support for it.
How do you see India-Russia relations after the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
We don’t see any significant difference. For decades, the two countries have enjoyed deep ties, characterized by mutual respect, trust and cooperation. More recently, Western-American sanctions have only had a positive effect. Trade between Russia and India has increased to 44 billion dollars. In April this year, India was placed among the priority countries in Russia’s new foreign policy concept.
Russia is believed to have moved closer to China in the meanwhile. What is its meaning?
Keep aside western propaganda. Both India and China have been old allies of Russia. In the case of Russia’s proximity to China, Western resistance is high because, like Russia, China is also considered an enemy by Western countries. Together we are resisting this. America does not seem serious about improving relations with China.
How do you see the future of organizations like BRICS and SCO?
Both are different forums, but they also have many similarities. Both are multidimensional and are meant to promote human values. There is no agenda to target any country in these. The purpose of these organizations is not to take unilateral action against any country like America.
In between, the BRICS countries took the initiative to introduce a new currency as an alternative to the dollar.
This is our collective agenda. However, BRICS was formed not to be a substitute, but to be complementary. BRICS respects the currency of all countries. This is being talked about. Many aspects have to be taken into account. We have seen how America is using the dollar as a weapon.
Is there any possibility of starting a peace process in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
Russia launched a special military operation to end the genocide of the Russian-speaking people and establish peace. The way Russian speaking people were being brutally treated there, Russia took tough steps to bring justice to them when we felt that the Lakshman Rekha had been crossed. Since then everyone saw how we were targeted. The Kakhovka hydroelectric plant, the Crimean bridge and the Nord Stream gas pipeline were attacked. There were attacks on civilians. We were close to resolving the situation in talks with Ukraine in March 2022, but the US and Western countries did not allow this to happen. America and Western countries are somehow not allowing an atmosphere for dialogue to be created.
Recently, when India bought oil from Russia, many questions were raised. How do you see the energy market in the coming years?
Energy markets must be free from artificial and politically motivated restrictions. America and western countries miscalculated in this whole episode. He thought of destroying Russia economically, but Russia’s economy not only remained, but also got better than before. Countries like India also took advantage of the changed situation keeping their national interests in front.
The resistance of Russia and China came to the fore many times in the G-20. Is there hope for a consensus at the summit?
Consensus depends on whether the West stops trying to politicize the economic agenda and push the topic of Ukraine everywhere. It is a deliberately imposed agenda that the Ukrainian crisis is causing global economic disruption. This is a unilateral western embargo. We cannot accept this and cannot allow this to be part of the outcome of the G-20.
How do you see India-Russia relationship in the new global order?
Things are changing fast in the coming times. I see that America and the West have completely lost their political-economic relevance. Now a new global order is being formed. India’s role is growing and Russia-India relations are growing accordingly.