India among few countries that can talk to Russia, Ukraine: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking to the diaspora in Spain on Tuesday, emphasised India's global standing saying the world wants to understand India's positioning and ideas.

He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia and Ukraine in 2024 and said, "There are very few countries today that are in a position to talk to, both, Russia and Ukraine.”

Prime Minister Modi went to Russia twice, and travelled to Kyiv, Ukraine. India, he said, was in a position to talk to Israel and Iran and Modi had been able to do both.

He again mentioned that India was the only country which sits in two diverse groupings – the Quad and BRICS. While the Quad has the US, India, Australia and Japan as members. The BRICS has Russia and China among its members.

"So, this is something which is actually very, very unique, the minister said adding today we have a very polarised world but India's positioning is very important.

“All countries in the world today think that having good ties with India is in their interest. The world recognises the pace at which progress is happening in India today.

Jaishankar mentioned the time of Covid-19 virus. Several countries got the vaccine from India. The minister spoke about development happening in India.

Highlighting the development of railway track and highways in India, Jaishankar said India planned to make 4,000 kilometres of new railway tracks every year. He said 28 kilometres of highway is being built each day.