India, Russia share a vision of how the world should develop: Ambassador Alipov
The HinduThe proposal for expansion of BRICS received “principled support” at the 14th BRICS summit that was hosted by China during June 23-24, said Russia’s ambassador to India Denis Alipov. Speaking to the Russian government news outlet Sputnik, Mr. Alipov reiterated that the decision to expand the grouping would be undertaken after extensive discussion among members, and that Russia understands India wants to “preserve strategic autonomy” and interact with major western powers rejecting bloc formation. Echoing Moscow’s plans for hassle free international commerce, Mr. Alipov said the BRICS’ focus has shifted “to build a smooth and reliable system as an alternative to a compromised mechanism based on the dominance of the U.S. dollar”. Mr. Alipov conveyed Russia’s assessment that India wishes to remain free of the “paradigm of block confrontation” and said, “National interests and the need for a country to preserve its strategic autonomy guide how the Indians act, rejecting the very idea of dividing lines”.