EAM calls for creative approach to challenges

India and Russia should adopta “more creativeand innovative approach” to tackle challenges posed by a complex geopolitical situation, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday while co-chairing a meeting of a bilateral economic panel amid US threats of punitive action against energy trade between New Delhiand Moscow.

- Rezaul H Laskar

Jaishankar also sought urgent steps to address the sharp imbalance in India-Russia trade and for diversifying trade and investment between the two sides while addressing the meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) in Moscow.

The meeting, part of preparations for Russian President Vladimir Putin's planned visit to India later this year for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ‘was held against the backdrop of the Donald Trump administration in the US railing energy trade between India and Russia. The US isset to impose a 25% punitive tariffon Indian exports from August 28 over Russian oil purchases, which will be in addition toa 25% reciprocal tariff.