New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India, European Union (EU) Envoy to India Herve Delphin highlighted that despite the Russian question, the EU–India relationship has strengthened in recent years. He emphasized that India should factor in “Russia as an aggressor” in its diplomatic considerations.
Speaking in New Delhi, Delphin said, “There is a clear aggressor. Russia has been invading a neighboring country. We have drones flying off, subsea cables cut off. All is documented. So, Russia is an aggressor, not just towards a country which it has invaded, but has really declared itself hostile to Europe’s interests. So I think India has to factor that in.”
He added, “I think as much as European countries would do, we will never do anything that harms the core security interest of India, and we would expect India to reciprocate toward Europe. The EU has grown its relationship with India in the past years, despite the Russian question.”
Delphin further stressed that despite these challenges, there are numerous areas for India and the EU to collaborate, with security considerations needing to remain central to the partnership. “That is a reality. But that doesn’t mean that for EU–India, we cannot work together. I think there is so much we can do, but understanding this security predicament needs to be at the core of the relationship,” he said.
His remarks came shortly after Putin’s meeting with a US delegation, during which no compromise on Ukraine was reportedly reached, according to RT citing Russian President aide Yuri Ushakov. The meeting, involving US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, lasted nearly five hours.
Putin is scheduled to visit India from December 4–5 for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin said the goal of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors is to elevate ties with Beijing and New Delhi. “We aim to elevate cooperation with the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India to a qualitatively new level by strengthening its technological component,” he said.
Earlier, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that the sale of additional S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missiles could be on the agenda. “Highly on the agenda, and this could be discussed. Our military industry is working pretty well. Russian arms account for 36 percent of Indian armed forces, and hopefully this will continue,” he said.
Russia also hopes to discuss the possibility of India acquiring the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter. “Su-57 is the best plane in the world. Su-57 will be on the agenda,” Peskov said.
Regarding defense cooperation, he added, “As far as our cooperation in the defense industry goes, let’s remember the famous BrahMos missiles. It’s not only production or acts of buying or selling; it’s also the exchange of high technologies, paving the way for a bright future in this field of cooperation. We are developing a variety of very complicated systems, and we are ready to share this with our Indian friends, our experience.”
Peskov also noted the possibility of an agreement on nuclear energy between India and Russia during the President’s visit. (ANI)
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