Russia praises India’s neutral stance on Ukraine fighting

By ASHOK SHARMA
Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — Russia’s foreign minister has lauded India for not judging in a “one-sided way” as he discussed Moscow’s military involvement in Ukraine with his Indian counterpart, after Washington urged New Delhi to use its leverage with Russia to end the war. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said ties between the two countries have sustained them through difficult times in the past. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of a cessation of violence but avoided condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. India was Moscow’s ally during the Cold War but has since sought to maintain ties with both Russia and Western nations.