NEW DELHI: In a significant diplomatic win for India vis-a-vis new measures undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government on abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, Russia on Friday said it ‘never doubts’ Indian policy in country’s northern province.
“Those who are concerned about Indian policy on Kashmir, those who put on doubt Indian policy can travel and see for themselves, we never put on doubt…This is my point of view,” Russian envoy Nikolay Kudashev told reporters here.
He also said Kashmir is an internal matter of India and it is ‘not in Russian habit’ to interfere or put on doubt about any internal policy of India.
The year 2020 will be a year of ‘new treaties’ and ‘projects implementation’ between India and Russia, Mr Kudashev said. “This year marks 20 years to the Declaration of Strategic Partnership between Russia and India. As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mentioned, it will be a year of Russia-India treaties and projects implementation,” he said. Responding to a question, he said, “I do not feel that there is a reason for me to travel to Kashmir. Your decisions, as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, this is your internal matter belonging to constitutional space.”
Meanwhile, in a major announcement, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said – five units of S-400 air defence missile systems, which had only been available to the Russian defence forces, will be delivered to India by 2025.
In further boost to bilateral ties, Mr Modi is likely to visit Russia in May. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also slated to visit Russia in March for two-day trilateral meeting of the Russia-Indian-China (RIC). (AGENCIES)
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