Russia has praised India for not judging the conflict in Ukraine in a “one-sided way” as foreign ministers from both countries met in Delhi.
India has not joined the widespread condemnation of Russia’s invasion and is a major buyer of Russian arms.
But it faces a diplomatic balancing act, and is under pressure from Western countries to help rein in Russia.
Following the talks India said it favoured peaceful resolutions of conflicts but did not criticise Russia.
India, which is a nuclear power, has a long history of pursuing a non-aligned strategy in international politics, not tying itself to the interests of other superpowers or political blocs.
BBC reports say Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov – who also met Indian’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi – spoke of the “friendship” between the two nations.
Mr Lavrov’s Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, emphasised the importance of cessation of violence and ending hostilities.
COMMENTS