New Delhi, Dec 5 (NationPress) Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla emphasized on Friday that the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in India should be seen mainly through a bilateral lens, as it highlights the enduring strategic alliance between the two countries.

In an interaction with IANS, Shringla remarked, "It’s crucial for us to assess President Putin’s visit from a bilateral standpoint. We hold an annual summit with our leaders; this marks the 23rd session. This is President Putin’s 10th visit to India."

Reiterating the strong and time-honored relationship between the nations, he added, "Our relationship with Russia stands independently and does not affect our connections with other allies. Therefore, from that angle, this visit bears significant importance. We are exploring various outcomes, particularly in terms of economic collaboration stemming from this visit. I believe we will develop a cooperative framework addressing issues that benefit the citizens of both nations."

Shringla also responded to inquiries regarding the decline in India’s imports of Russian crude.

He stated, "Our imports of Russian crude have notably diminished due to the unilateral sanctions imposed. Many of our businesses are tied to the SWIFT system, are engaged in dollar transactions, and have investments in the United States and other Western nations. They are likely to avoid the risk associated with importing Russian oil at this moment with the sanctions in effect."

He emphasized that energy considerations were not the primary focus of the visit, affirming India’s consistent diplomatic approach.

"Currently, I don’t think energy plays a significant role. PM Modi has consistently advocated for peace. He has visited both Russia and Ukraine. I am confident he will continue to emphasize peaceful resolutions to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine," he stated.

Moreover, when asked whether President Putin’s visit sends signals to Western nations, Shringla responded, "We are not aiming to send signals to anyone. As I mentioned, this visit is part of our annual tradition with Russia. Last year, Prime Minister Modi visited Russia, and this year it is President Putin’s turn. We are focusing on a significant economic agenda during this time, particularly in enhancing our exports and introducing new product lines to Russia, including agriculture, agro products, light engineering goods, and marine products."

Putin's state visit commenced on Thursday evening, where he received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who greeted him at the airport and accompanied him from the tarmac in the same vehicle.

This visit, filled with high-level discussions across the national capital, underscores the ongoing strategic importance of India-Russia relations amidst evolving global geopolitics.