Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during the 2+2 talks between Russian and Indian foreign and defence ministers, New Delhi, December 6, 2021

6 December 202111:10
2513-06-12-2021

Colleagues,

I am genuinely pleased to be taking part in the first ever 2+2 meeting between Russian and Indian foreign and defence ministers. This initiative was approved by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

I am confident that this new format will become an effective dialogue platform for discussing a wide range of regional and international issues, and that it will help our countries to further deepen their long-established mutual understanding and strengthen their special and privileged strategic partnership.

Russia and India have similar visions of the model of a more just, democratic and polycentric world order. They promote identical or very similar views on the most vital issues of peace and security. They advocate compliance with international law and strengthening the collective principles of communication between states. They adhere to the principles of non-interference in domestic affairs of sovereign states and respecting the great diversity of cultures and civilisations in the world.

This commonality serves as a solid foundation for the productive work within this new format of the Russia-India dialogue. I would also like to thank our Indian friends for hospitality and hosting these talks.