NEW DELHI: On the issue of trade with Russia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India’s level of trade with Russia is very low as compared to other European countries.
Addressing a press conference after meeting German Foreign Minister Annelena Berbock, Jaishankar said, “Our trade with Russia is at a very small level – 12 to billion dollars. It is very less compared to European countries.
We have also given certain items to Russia. I don’t think people should see anything in this other than the legitimate expectations of any trading nation.”
S Jaishankar talked on many issues during his meeting with German Foreign Minister Annelena Berbock.
Our trade with Russia is at a very small level- $12-13 bn, in comparison to European countries. We've also given Russians a set of products… I dont think people should read more into it other than the legitimate expexctations of any trading country to increase its trade: EAM pic.twitter.com/nYyV5he97L
— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2022
“The European Union imported more fossil fuel – oil, gas and coal – from Russia than the next 10 countries combined. There is a finite amount of energy resources and Europe can’t make choices to prioritise its energy needs while asking India to do something else,” Jaishankar said.
“The European governments understand India’s position on Russian oil. I wish the European media would get it too,” he added.
Baerbock arrived in India this morning on a two-day visit, four days after India formally took over the presidency of the G-20 grouping. The two ministers spoke about a number of issues, including the Ukraine war, China, Pakistan and terrorism.
जर्मनी की FM @ABaerbock के साथ आज विस्तृत बातचीत। हमारे जारी संवाद को इस बार और अधिक विस्तार से आगे बढ़ाया।
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 5, 2022
द्विपक्षीय संबंधों और कई महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्रीय और वैश्विक मुद्दों पर हमारे साझा दृष्टिकोण की समीक्षा की। https://t.co/V5isZgh7si
After the meeting, he wrote, “Had detailed talks today with the Foreign Minister of Germany. We took the dialogue forward this time in more detail. We reviewed bilateral relations and shared approach on a number of important regional and global issues.”