On February 24-25, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Sherpa in BRICS Sergey Ryabkov participated in the BRICS Sherpas/ Sous-Sherpas meeting in the format of a video conference.

During the meeting, the priorities of the Indian chairmanship in 2021under the theme "BRICS@15: Intra BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus" were presented.

Topical issues of the five-sided cooperation, further strengthening of the mechanisms for multifaceted interaction within BRICS in all three areas of the strategic partnership - politics and security, economics and finance, cultural and humanitarian contacts, were touched upon. BRICS Events Calendar 2021 was presented, as well.

The Russian side noted importance of the practical implementation of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2025, approved at the 12th BRICS Summit held during the Russian chairmanship, as well as continuing work on other initiatives launched under the Russia's auspices.

#Zakharova: On February 17, 2021, the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Italy published its scientific conclusion on the #SputnikV vaccine. The report describes the technical characteristics of the Russian vaccine, reviews the methods and results of its experimental use based on the clinical studies published by The Lancet journal and lists the countries that have approved the Sputnik V vaccine.

The Italian experts note in their conclusion that the available data suggests that the Russian vaccine is highly effective and safe. They believe Sputnik V can play a major role in the coronavirus vaccination programme. The conclusion was submitted to the Health Ministry and Foreign Ministry of Italy.

In an interview with Italy’s flagship TV channel, RAI 1, the director of the institute, Francesco Vaia, urged the Italian authorities not to politicise the procurement of coronavirus vaccines and recommended the use of the Russian vaccine in Italy.

The conclusion of the prestigious Italian institute confirms again that the world’s first Russian vaccine is highly effective against the coronavirus, and underscores the objective and unbiased approach of the scientific community to combatting the pandemic. Russia seeks an open, objective, science-based discussion of these issues. We reject any attempts to politicise this vitally important matter for narrow, opportunistic purposes.

We naturally support the appeal of the Italian scientists to remove ideology from the efforts to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time. Russia seeks the broadest possible cooperation in this area.

From the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman's media briefing ➡️ https://bit.ly/3dSmoZG

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov at a meeting with the heads of foreign media offices in Russia: I would like to emphasise in particular that we do not close our doors to anyone and are always ready for discussions. That said, we cannot accept, let alone agree with, the current wave of so-called fakes, the attempts to use labels from the ideological clichés of the Cold War. Such attempts are turning the information field into an area of confrontation. I believe this does not help create the atmosphere that is required by our time.

As the coronavirus pandemic has shown, our time demands an end to the attempts to create confrontation and hostility at every step. Even as regards the vaccines, sometimes there is a desire to turn this issue that is vital for all humanity, above all, for ensuring that all people have the right to live, into an object of geopolitical insinuations.

🔗 https://bit.ly/3e06bBI

Russia and India have agreed to create a target working group for gas, which will operate in the framework of the working group for cooperation in the sphere of energy and energy efficiency of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation, the Russian Energy Ministry said following the opening of the India Energy Office in Moscow on March 2, 2021.

The new office will serve as a center for establishing interaction between key Indian energy companies and Russian businesses, Deputy Russian Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin was quoted as saying in the statement.

"These companies represent all the main sectors in energy - LNG, engineering services, production, and processing. We expect that the India Energy Office could become a new breakthrough instrument for strengthening interaction between Russia and India. There is a great deal of potential for increasing investment and implementing joint projects in the sphere of entering new segments, including joint oil production in new regions," Sorokin said.

Comment by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on new US anti-Russia sanctions ➡️https://bit.ly/3sMUhiM

The US Administration, teamed up with the EU, has made a hostile move towards Russia by announcing new sanctions “to punish Moscow.”

Having become enmeshed in its own domestic problems, the White House is again trying to cultivate the image of an external enemy. We have repeatedly commented on this US policy which lacks logic and common sense. It is increasingly aggravating bilateral relations that Washington has already brought to a complete halt.

Absurdity triumphs when the reason behind the sanctions is based on Alexey Navalny’s alleged “poisoning” with some toxic “chemical warfare” agent. This is just a pretext for the continuing undisguised interference in our domestic affairs, and we will not accept this. Based on the principle of reciprocity, we will respond but not necessarily with symmetrical measures.

We can only assume that the US administration does not realise that times have changed and that in the current geopolitical realities attempts to dictate one’s will to others are counterproductive for those who are unable to quit this approach. Instead of instigating a new round of confrontation the US should concentrate on the honest implementation of its commitments, for example, on the destruction of its chemical weapons, weapons Russia hasn’t possessed since 2017.

Apparently, our US colleagues find it difficult to understand and accept the idea that their claims to exclusivity are baseless. Any hopes to impose something on Russia by way of sanctions or other pressure have failed in the past and will fail now. If the US is not ready for an equitable and reasonable dialogue, this is their choice. Regardless of the US’s enthusiasm for sanctions we will continue to consistently and resolutely uphold our national interests and rebuff any aggression. We urge our colleagues not to play with fire.

As a serial violator of international treaties and agreements on arms control and the non-proliferation of weapons, Washington is, by definition, deprived of the moral right to “lecture” others.

#Zakharova: We continue to monitor the situation at the China-India border. We welcome the agreements reached by the foreign ministers of #China & #India during the phone conversation on February 25.

We respect the parties’ resolve to settle the situation without foreign interference and within the existing framework of the multi-level mechanisms of bilateral dialogue.

We hope that both states, being responsible members of the international community, will be able to find mutually acceptable peaceful ways to resolve the tension as soon as possible.

Dear friends! On March 8th, the Embassy will be closed to observe #InternationalWomensDay 🌹

Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay R.Kudashev: Happy #IWD2021! We wish you and your loved ones all the best and good health in this difficult time for all mankind

🎥 https://youtu.be/WDTEbYmJovY

Noted the publication in the Indian media claiming that Russia allegedly “kept India out” of the international efforts for the Afghan peace process, which seems to be based on ill-informed sources.

Dialogue between Russia and India has always been very close and forward-looking on all global and regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan. It has been intensively maintained in bilateral and multilateral formats, including the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, Moscow consultations, etc.

Due to the complexity of the Afghan settlement, moving towards a relevant regional consensus and coordination with other partners, including the US, is critical. We proceed from the importance of the implementation of the US-Taliban agreement signed in Doha in February 2020 and approved by a UN Security Council resolution.

Russia always stated that India plays very important role in Afghanistan, and its eventual deeper involvement in dedicated dialogue formats is natural.

March 1 marked the ASEM Day, its 25th anniversary. Since joining the forum in 2010, Russia has been promoting practical cooperation across a variety of fields, including through the implementation of specific sectoral projects. Read more on our activities within ASEM here ➡️ https://bit.ly/2OpBYBH

Noted an article published in the Daily Guardian on March 11, 2021 (https://bit.ly/30Cvthw), which, besides being biased and non-professional, is ill-intentioned to negatively affect the special and privileged strategic partnership between #Russia and #India.

As far as the meeting on #Afghanistan which is to be held in Moscow on March 18 is concerned, it should be understood that it is not a sporadic event but a continuing process launched in the framework of the extended “Troika” format (Russia, China, US) with participation of the Afghan parties, aimed at supporting the Intra-Afghan talks at the current critical moment for this country. As it was earlier agreed among the members, India as well as other regional players could be invited to join it at later stage. Apparently, this meeting as one of the many other dedicated mechanisms is not linked with individual initiatives, like, for example, proposed meetings in the UN and Turkey, which are yet to be finalized.

At the same time there has always been a sincere and forward looking dialogue between Russia and India on Afghanistan at the level of the Foreign Ministers and NSAs, both in bilateral and relevant multilateral formats, including the SCO-led Contact Group.

As for the India’s participation in the QUAD, it should be known that Russia proceeds from the understanding that New Delhi as a global power is promoting its diversified foreign policy based on national interests. It is not less important for Russia, India and other partners to deepen cooperation in #BRICS, the #SCO and #RIC, where, by the way, one would never find any attempts to contain other states and to shape Cold War type alliances, rather than firm support for the central role of the UN, international law, unified agenda and non-acceptability of multilateral approaches to global and regional affairs at the cost of interests of other countries. Moreover, it is our common understanding that current challenges can be met only by collective endeavors.

Russia has always been the sincere well-wisher of India, and that is reflected not only in our glorious history of relations, but also in the current comprehensive dialogue on international arena, including the UNSC, where our approaches are similar or coinciding, as well as unique partnership in defence, nuclear power and other areas with exclusive technology sharing. Each year we move forward in our ties, further deepening them in all possible spheres, and 2021 in this regard is full of new forward-looking expectations. Thus, our ship is loaded and heading beyond horizons. And that is the reality.

We feel very sorry for the author of the article. Lately, we have already seen similar pitiful attempts to combine small fragmented pieces of disinformation into a larger picture with one-sided and simplified vision. Because of the lack of knowledge such materials become misleading and, hence, resulting in wrong conclusions. The author didn’t even try to analyze what was the Embassy reacting at with its statement on March 9, 2021 (https://bit.ly/3qEcMo3). Thus, it would be highly recommended that such articles, especially on such serious topics, to be based on balanced and professional, but not emotional approach.

#Lavrov: We are genuinely interested in bringing an end to the #Afghan tragedy as soon as possible. This is yet another example of the consequences of democratization, which the countries outside of that region are trying to impose, including in #Iraq, #Libya and #Syria.

We are not competing with Qatar or any other country in this regard. We are not speaking here from the position that could become a bone of contention that could become a bone of contention. As you are aware, before the Doha process, there was the Istanbul process and the Moscow format, and no one ever thought of reproaching our Qatari friends for “stealing the show.” This is a case of flawed logic.

Indeed, we followed closely and supported strongly the Doha talks. I can’t agree with you saying they were a success. Many unresolved problems remain. We discussed this today, including with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Thani. We would like to help these talks to continue, with each participant adopting a more constructive position.

This is exactly why the Moscow meeting is being convened. It was initiated by Russia, the United States and the People’s Republic of China. The three countries will meet in an expanded format which will include Pakistan. The Afghan parties will be invited as well. This is in no way an official format, fixed by some decision. It is designed to encourage the parties to be more cooperative through informal discussions and a trust-based dialogue. So, I can only support what Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Thani had to say

From the Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani following a trilateral meeting (Doha, March 11, 2021) ➡ https://bit.ly/3vvVOfB

H.E. Mr Nikolay R.Kudashev, Russian Ambassador to India, addressed participants of the India - Eurasian Economic Union Conclave meeting on March 16, 2021 ➡️ https://youtu.be/YbNHVtia_bI

#India’s🇮🇳 vaccine makers are expected to start producing #Russia’s🇷🇺 #SputnikV💉 vaccine soon to augment supplies as #COVID19 pandemic continues to surge ➡️ https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/india-poised-to-roll-out-sputnik-v-novavax-covid-vaccines-amid-global-shortage-74566.html

To choose a title for an article is always a tricky thing – you risk to miss-match the core of a narrative. This task is especially difficult when a text has already been written by your Western media partners, and you have nothing left to do but to copy/paste it, no matter what the essence of the material is. Today, we all witnessed once again how it works – news prepared by Reuters about the Russian President’s reaction to the US leader’s unpleasant remarks in his address during the interview to ABC were simply cloned by the Indian media without paying much attention to the real meaning of Mr Vladimir Putin’s words. Some of them even came out with such titles like “Takes one (killer) to know one: Putin”, which provides wrong and misleading perception. To be precise, on March 18, 2021 he literally stated the following ➡️ https://m.vk.com/@rusembdelhi-on-the-russian-presidents-reaction-to-the-us-leaders-unpleas

Air India announces direct flights between Goa & Moscow's Sheremetyevo A.S. Pushkin Airport from 14th April to 28th October, '21.

@MFARussia