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India’s neutrality on Ukraine meets New Delhi’s interests, says Russian envoy

It is reported that Indian government leaders, experts and observers are closely monitoring how the developments are unfolding

NEW DELHI, March 18. /TASS/. New Delhi’s neutral stance on Ukraine meets India’s national interests, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov told journalists on Friday.

"India hasn’t rushed to join the closely-knit Western clique, despite all the calls and pressure exerted to take a position denouncing Russia, and New Delhi did not do it, primarily because it pursues its own strategic interests under the current situation," Alipov pointed out.

"It is a mistake to believe that India has sided with Russia, as well as it is wrong to believe, as Western countries apparently think, that India supports Russia. That is not the case. As far as we are concerned, we would like more pronounced support from India. But nevertheless, it sticks to this neutral path, precisely because it is pursuing a policy of strategic autonomy that the Indian leadership has repeatedly voiced," the Russian envoy noted.

According to Alipov, Indian government leaders, experts and observers who are closely monitoring how the developments are unfolding, are well aware of the circumstances that forced Russia to launch the special military operation "because we have no other choice."

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Ukraine crisis India

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