Amid concerns about the Russia-Ukraine conflict turning nuclear, the Russian envoy to India, Denis Alipov, assured that his nation wonโt use nuclear weapons in Ukraine unless the Kremlin is cornered in a dangerous situation.
Ambassador Alipovโs comments came during a one-day forum, โNext Steps in India-Russia Strategic Partnership; Old Friends New Horizonsโ, convened by the India Writes Network in association with the Centre for Global India Insights on India-Russia ties in New Delhi.
Responding to a public query on the possible use of nuclear weapons, Ambassador Alipov remarked, โGod forbid! This is unimaginable. Donโt forget that the nuclear issue was first raised by the British in the context of the Ukraine conflict. They said that we were going to use, and Britain possibly would use, the nuclear option in the context of the Ukrainian conflict.โ
In a reference to solving the full-scale armed conflict in Ukraine, the envoy stated that Russia is open to serious talks to end the armed conflict in Ukraine diplomatically. โHowever, not a single country has made a serious proposal or provided a tangible solution that meets Russian interests. If New Delhi makes any diplomatic proposal to end the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin will examine Delhiโs proposals seriously,โ Alipov said.
Alipov also urged New Delhi to โnormaliseโ its frosty relations with Beijing, especially when their relations are on tenterhooks.
Speaking on Moscowโs growing engagement with Islamabad, despite Pakistanโs arms shipment to Ukraine, Ambassador Denis Alipov said, โRussia wonโt do anything with Pakistan that is detrimental to India.โ
Terming Russiaโs defence pacts with Pakistan as โvery limitedโ in the area of counterterror, the Russian envoy said, โA weak Pakistan wonโt be better for India and Afghanistan.โ
Taking a jibe at Washington, about Russiaโs growing cooperation with India in the domain of technologies, Alipov said, โRussia doesnโt mix the transfer of technology with politics.โ
According to the envoy, Russiaโs export volume to India has increased by 7 to 9 times in recent times, despite stiff western sanctions on Russia.
Meanwhile, Ivan Nosov, CEO of SberBank India, Russiaโs banking major, said that Russia and India have resolved the logistics and payment-related issues to make the business environment more conducive and immune to western sanctions.
Sharing her personal experiences from age-old personal ties with Russia, Indiaโs former Ambassador to Switzerland, Smita Purushottam, underscored Russiaโs cultural ties with India and the rest of the world.
Purushottam expressed her dissatisfaction over the lack of English translations of legendary Russian literary figures like Mikhail Bulgakov in public culture. She further suggested the forum initiate a free, accessible and positive impact-making alternative of OTT giant Netflix to showcase Russian literature and culture.
