Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Jaishankar Says History Shapes India’s Enduring Ties With Russia
India’s foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, explained why India continues to have close ties with Russia.
He said the relationship has a long history, dating back to the 1950s.
He recalled that Russia and the Soviet Union supported India when its security and territory were threatened.
Today, the countries work together in areas such as defence, trade, energy and space.
Some Western countries criticize India for buying Russian oil, saying the purchases help Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Jaishankar said countries judge relationships through their own experiences.
He said India wants the war to end through talks and negotiations.
India is talking with both Russia and Ukraine about shipping safety, exports and avoiding attacks.
At the Munich Leaders Meeting, S. Jaishankar said India’s history with Russia continues to shape their relationship.
He cited Russian and Soviet support when India’s security and territorial integrity were under threat.
Jaishankar said the relationship now spans defence, nuclear cooperation, space, trade, investment, energy and resources.
The United States and European countries have pressured India over Russian oil purchases, which they say help sustain Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
India says the war should end through dialogue and negotiations and is speaking with both Russia and Ukraine on shipping, exports and non-attack possibilities.
- Who
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed India’s relationship with Russia.
- What
- He defended the longstanding relationship and said India supports ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
- When
- At the Munich Leaders Meeting; the articles do not specify the date.
- Where
- Munich Leaders Meeting.
- Why
- Jaishankar said India’s positive historical experience with Russia has shaped the relationship.
India’s perspective
Western criticism
India-Russia ties and oil purchases
India’s perspective
Jaishankar said India’s experience with Russia has been consistently positive and that historical ties remain important.
Western criticism
The United States and European countries argue that India’s purchases of Russian oil help sustain Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
How countries assess relationships
India’s perspective
Jaishankar said India bases its judgment on India’s own experience.
Western criticism
He said Europe bases its judgment on Europe’s experience, rather than India’s.
- Speaker
- S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister
- Event
- Munich Leaders Meeting
- Historical ties
- Jaishankar said India and Russia had strong relations particularly since the 1950s.
- Areas of cooperation
- Defence, nuclear matters, space, trade, investment, energy and resources
- Oil criticism
- The United States and European countries argue that Indian purchases of Russian oil help sustain Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- India’s stated position
- Jaishankar said the conflict should end through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations.
- Ongoing conversations
- India is speaking with Russia and Ukraine about Black Sea shipping safety, grain and energy exports, and non-attack possibilities.
