Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will be in India on a two-day visit starting Thursday as Moscow hopes to prevent India from throwing its weight behind the Western phalanx lined up behind Ukraine as the war entered the second month. This would be the highest-level visit from Moscow since Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Among the flurry of high-profile visitors to the country this week is German Foreign and Security Policy Adviser Jens Plotner on Wednesday and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Friday. Also, US Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Daleep Singh will be in India on March 30 and 31.

"Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov will pay an official visit to New Delhi on 31 March -1 April 2022," the Indian government said in a press release.

Lavrov's visit follows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to New Delhi last week, the first in over two years. Despite mounting pressure from the West, China and India haven't condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine. India also abstained from UN resolutions censuring Russia and continues to buy Russian oil and other goods.

The Ministry of External Affairs has not given any details on whom the Russian leader would meet on his trip, which coincides with visits by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and US Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Daleep Singh, NDTV said. 

Singh, a key figure in Washington's punitive economic sanctions against Moscow, would discuss the "consequences" of Russia's "unjustified war" against Ukraine and the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the White House has announced.

"(Daleep) Singh will consult closely with counterparts on the consequences of Russia's unjustified war against Ukraine and mitigating its impact on the global economy," said Emily Horne, spokesperson of the National Security Council of the White House. He will meet Indian officials to deepen cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth and prosperity, and a free and open Indo-Pacific, Horne said.

The preparations for the upcoming 2+2 foreign and defence ministerial dialogue in Washington next month are also likely to figure during Singh's visit. The dialogue is likely to take place around April 11. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Washington to hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Unlike many other leading powers, India has not yet criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes at the UN platforms in condemning the Russian aggression. However, last Thursday, India abstained on a resolution pushed by Russia on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, which was seen as reflective of its neutral position on the conflict.

India has been pressing for the resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.

Last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Parliament that India's position on the Ukraine conflict has been "steadfast and consistent" and that it has been seeking immediate cessation of violence.

(SAM)