Indian Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar, following talks in Washington on Monday, rejected Western media requests and advice on New Delhi and Moscow’s interaction in the context of a Russian special operation in Ukraine.
“It seems to be my turn to get a lot of advice and suggestions from the press. So thank you for your participation. [к раздающим такие непрошеные рекомендации]!” – the head of the Indian Foreign Ministry ironically answered a journalist from Japan at a press conference on Monday. He wondered whether New Delhi intended to rely less on Moscow economically and militarily .
“Nevertheless, I must say that we are following what is happening, like any other country. We formulate our own conclusions and assessments. And believe me, we have a good understanding of what is in our interest, how to protect and promote them,” Jaishankar said.
During the same press conference, he replied to the American correspondent of the Al Jazeera television channel, which, in fact, sought to condemn India’s operation on Russia in Ukraine. “I prefer to go my own way and formulate [ответы] my way,” an Indian diplomat told him.
Subramanyam Jaishankar attended a press conference with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, as well as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin at the end of the 2+2 meeting.