“We have a trilateral mechanism between us – Russia, India and China…It had been quite active prior to 2020. But after the Galwan incident, the dialogue between India and China got very much complicated,” said Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov.
During an interaction at the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia, Alipov expressed, “We are very keen to continue with the trilateral format which, in our opinion, is very helpful to build the basis for the improvement of relations between India and China. This will certainly happen sooner or later…”
In response to a question that a possible India-China conflict is a hypothetical matter, Alipov said, “We hope that it will never happen…Russia’s position is that our relations with India and our relations with China are very wholesome.” Both India and China have said their boundary issue is a bilateral issue and Russia has abided by that, he added.
Alipov also contended the Russia-India-China mechanism could help build confidence that could be the basis for improving relations. “This will certainly happen sooner or later but the sooner the better,” he said.
Regarding the relationship between India and Russia, Denis Alipov, the Russian Ambassador to India, emphasizes that the two nations have not encountered political disagreements, nor have they engaged in comparing each other with other countries. He highlighted that they have refrained from making comparisons with other countries and have instead nurtured a robust and varied partnership. This partnership has been characterized by support for industrialization and advancements in energy. Ultimately, their collaboration has evolved into the present multi-dimensional, special, and privileged partnership.
Discussing the delivery of the five S-400 systems that India had contracted for, Alipov acknowledged that delays had arisen due to disruptions in military operations during the Ukraine conflict. He also mentioned that both parties have collaboratively agreed upon a new schedule, which is currently being adhered to with great precision.
Russia has so far delivered only three S-400 systems and all the deliveries were to have been completed by the end of 2023. The supplies are continuing and will be “concluded on time as stipulated in the new agreement”, Alipov said without giving details.