India's Russia envoy reveals taking Sputnik V vaccine; affirms India-Russia strategic ties

Highlighting importance of military-technical cooperation between New Delhi and Moscow, India's Ambassor to Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma during an interview with Russian news ncy TASS on Wednesday said that India has an independent policy and makes every decision in military sphere in accordance with interests of its defence and national security. 

Indian envoy Bala Venkatesh Varma said, "India-Russia ties go back deces. This is one of pillars of our strategic partnership. India also has a global strategic partnership with US. New Delhi's relations with each country are independent. India has an independent policy, and we make every decision in military sphere in accordance with interests of our defence and national security."

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'India-Russia ties go back deces..'

While replying to question of possible US sanctions over purchase of S-400s, Indian envoy said, "All our partners are aware of India's defence policy and needs." Varma said that it should t be a surprise that India is making decisions on its defence policy independently, in accordance with its own needs in defence and security. 

Speaking on Russian Sputnik V clinical trials taking place in India, he said that Sputnik V vaccine is alrey well kwn and it has completed its second st of clinical trials and third st of trials have alrey begun. Revealing that he has received his first dose of Sputnik V vaccine last week, Varma said that vaccine approval process will take ar couple of weeks. 

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Indian ambassor to Russia said, "Many of my colleagues at embassy have also been vaccinated, and many are going to do so. Over annual Russian-Indian summit t being held last year. re is an agreement between two countries that President Putin will visit India to participate in bilateral summit, which could t be held in 2020 for only reason -- COVID-19 situation."

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Asserting that as soon as epidemic situation settles down, Indian ambassor to Russia informed that both nations will agree on a specific date for visit. On USD 1 billion credit line extended by India for development of Far East, envoy Varma said that this is an unprecedented case as India for first time is providing preferential credit line to its business partners for cooperation with Russian colleagues in Far East. he also mentioned that USD 1 billion credit line is highly important. 

Commenting upon chairing BRICS summit, Varma said that India as chairman of BRICS, as always, want to consolidate association as a key international platform for cooperation in a multipolar world in order to change situation in ecomic and health after pandemic. "India also wants to strengn synergy of contacts between people," he ded. 

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(With ANI inputs)