Moscow, May 13 : Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has assured that Russia will continue to fulfil all energy supply commitments to India despite what he described as “unfair and dishonest competition” from external forces.
In an interview ahead of his visit to New Delhi, Lavrov said India’s interests related to Russian energy supplies would not be affected and stressed that Moscow has never failed to honour its obligations to India or any other country.
Highlighting key areas of cooperation, he described the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu as a flagship India-Russia project and said collaboration on additional power units is continuing. Russia, he added, also remains a major supplier of oil, gas and coal to India.
Lavrov praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him “one of the most energetic leaders the world has ever known,” and credited him for strengthening India’s sovereignty in sectors including the economy, defence, culture and technology.
Emphasising the strength of bilateral ties, Lavrov said relations between India and Russia are rooted in deep friendship and mutual trust, adding that there is “no scenario” in which the paths of the two nations would diverge.
Referring to the long-standing slogan “Hindi-Rusi Bhai Bhai,” he said cultural, political, economic and strategic ties between the two countries remain “rock solid,” despite attempts by some countries to undermine the partnership.
During his visit to India, Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and attend the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting, where discussions are expected on bilateral cooperation, energy ties, transport connectivity, financial channels, and regional and global issues including the Middle East situation.
