Russia hails India's strategic autonomy in foreign affairs

New Delhi: Russia has 'welcomed' the fact that India has 'demonstrated a determination to continue and develop multifaceted cooperation with Russia despite pressure and threats'.

"This approach not only corresponds to the spirit and traditions of the long-standing Russian-Indian friendship but also reflects New Delhi's aspiration to uphold what they call strategic autonomy in international affairs. Essentially, this is about the supreme value of sovereignty and the primacy of national interests," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told leading Russian channel, Russia Today, in the backdrop of US pressure on India to reduce purchase of Russian oil imports.

Russia-India relations are "steadily and confidently advancing," the ministry said. "Any attempt to obstruct this process is destined to fail," it added. The ministry highlighted that the two nations are also working on payment systems.