US is continuing to put pressure on India to ditch its time-tested ties with Russia, despite the fact that it runs counter to India's best interests, Russia's Ambassador to India Denis Alipov has told national media.
India will not compromise where its national interests are concerned, Alipov told Russian reporters, adding that New Delhi has shown its independence in decision-making, rendering attempts by the US to apply pressure futile.
Check out the key statements from Ambassador Alipov's interview:
Russia has become India's biggest partner in the [oil] sector, and both sides are interested in long-term cooperation.
Russia is also pinning its hopes on boosting supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other energy sources;
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and India are willing to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), though a large-scale negotiation process has yet to be launched;
In the wake of the confrontation between Russia and the West, India has pursued a balanced foreign policy and has been independent in its foreign policy decision-making. When it comes to India, western pressure tactics fail;
Given the unilateral sanctions imposed on Moscow, Russia has to create new economic mechanisms and adjust the old ones to move forward;
Western pressure on India continues, and the United States are openly trying to pull India away from Russia. Maintaining friendship with Russia serves India's best interests, Alipov said, assuming New Delhi would not trade it at "someone else's" behest.