West cherry-picking PM Modi’s remark, no change in ties with India: Russia
Sandeep Dikshit
New Delhi, September 23
Russia on Friday said West’s claim that India was distancing itself from Moscow was simply “cherry-picking” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comment “this is no time for war” made in Samarkand last week.
“Western nations are picking out the narrative that suits them, nothing has changed on the path for India and Russia,” Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov told the media while appreciating India for its consistent stand of seeking a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Nothing changes
Western nations are picking out the narrative that suits them, nothing has changed on the path for India and Russia. —Denis Alipov, Russian Ambassador
“It is a very difficult question. We are prepared to cease hostilities, President Putin also told PM Narendra Modi. An agreement on stopping hostilities can be achieved, but the other side is speaking about continuing the military action,” he said, on being asked when the hostilities will end.
Asked whether Russia would meditate in the Sino-Indian dispute, Alipov was forthright about Moscow’s non-involvement. Russia only asks both sides to bilateral arrive at a peaceful resolution “unlike some countries who only encourage suspicions of India towards China and vice versa”.
“We don’t support such an attitude. We stand for those disputes to be resolved solely for the benefit of both parties. We don’t see any other role in this dialogue,” he said. On reports of Pakistan delivering ammunition to Ukraine, he said: “If such deliveries are taking place, then that will have a very negative effect on the ties and relationship with Pakistan. That is obvious.”
