‘Long-Term Contracts Are the Key Shield Against Oil Price Shocks for India’ — Russian Spokeswoman Zakharova

Kathmandu — Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has set out detailed views on Russia–India energy, defence, and strategic partnership in an interview with Indian news portal Firstpost.

She stated that Russia is making a significant contribution to India’s energy security through the construction of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and the supply of hydrocarbons on favourable terms. Discussions are underway on the possibility of building another new Russian-designed nuclear power plant in India, she said. “We regard long-term export contracts as the main instrument for protecting our partners from oil price fluctuations caused by global and regional instability,” she stated.

On defence cooperation, Zakharova said the Russia–India partnership is time-tested, based on mutual trust, and unaffected by foreign policy fluctuations. “The BrahMos missile system is operating successfully, and serial production of AK-203 assault rifles has been organised at a joint venture,” she noted.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, she stated that the energy route functioned uninterrupted until the US–Israeli tandem launched an unprovoked and unlawful attack on Iran, adding that Russia has from the very beginning advocated a political and diplomatic solution. On BRICS, she said the grouping now accounts for a significant share of global GDP, population, and natural resources. A sustainable settlement of the Ukraine crisis, she said, is possible only by addressing its root causes.