S Jaishankar told Bloomberg’s John Micklethwait that Russia’s rift with Europe over the Ukraine war has forced Moscow to lean more heavily on Asian partners, especially China. He added that India “has been a steady partner for the last 75‑80 years” and that New Delhi remains a “natural option” for Moscow.
Jaishankar said the India‑Russia relationship has helped maintain a balance of power in Asia, citing decades of military‑technical cooperation and mutual diplomatic support. He stressed that India’s role is “not just a choice, but a stable option” that Russia can rely on as its European ties fray.
The European Union announced a new sanction package on Monday, listing 1,600 entities and individuals tied to Russia’s military‑industrial complex and election meddling in occupied Ukrainian territories. The latest package brings the total number of sanctioned Russian companies to 826 and individuals to 743, raising the overall count to nearly 4,600.
While India has reiterated its commitment to the longstanding partnership, officials say the country will keep engaging Russia on trade, defence and technology. The next major diplomatic engagement will be at the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi, where India hopes to negotiate a more balanced stance on the Ukraine conflict.