"Russia has a very important role": President of the International Forum of the BRICS Countries - on the situation in Afghanistan and partnership with the Russian Federation

- Ms. Anand, how do the BRICS countries intend to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan? Are there any agreements on this score?

- The situation in Afghanistan is very deplorable. There are serious problems with the status of women, children and the elderly, and at the same time the whole world is paralyzed: no one can help them. And, as you know, the situation with the Taliban * is very difficult: it is difficult to communicate with them and it is difficult to consider their decisions within the framework of the UN structures and national security councils. But India and the BRICS countries are doing their best. They initiated a dialogue through the Security Council, and one such meeting took place in New Delhi last month. In addition, China and Russia have representative offices in Taliban-controlled territory, they are in continuous dialogue with representatives of the movement to resolve all issues, or at least build bridges to help women, children and the elderly and establish peace in Afghanistan.

- And how, in particular, India intends to interact with Russia on the Afghan problem?

- India and Russia have always been strategic partners, and the issue of Afghanistan is continuously discussed due to the proximity of this country to our borders.

In addition, the problems of human trafficking and security have become more acute than ever before, which require immediate solutions, otherwise we will face even greater difficulties.

Russia has invested huge amounts of money in Afghanistan to ensure peace and development.

India also sent significant funds there to form a parliament, equip hospitals and perform other tasks.

- How is India now dealing with the covid pandemic?

How do you assess the effectiveness of the Russian Sputnik vaccine in your country?

And how are the BRICS countries cooperating in the fight against coronavirus?

- We see that the BRICS countries are showing very good results in the fight against coronavirus. Three countries in this group have developed their own vaccines. In the beginning, Russia supported India with the supply of Sputnik V and other medical assistance, which helped us a lot in the fight against covid. India is a very densely populated country, and therefore in the fight against this disease, we are faced with higher risks. But thanks to Sputnik V, we did not waste time. In addition, in India, as in a number of BRICS countries, a holistic approach is always of great importance (to medicine. -

). Residents of rural and urban areas are treated with herbs and their own local remedies. It is good that in India there are agricultural territories: there, thanks to knowledge in this area, people are able to independently resolve the issue of medicines. So for the BRICS countries, the existence of a holistic approach to treatment has become a very significant moment. Since, despite modern medical theories regarding (treatment. -

) coronavirus - be it drugs, vaccinations, which were given to many patients, or dry oxygen - mortality in hospitals was high.

Having studied the situation, we realized that the most modern medical institutions alone are not enough.

Therefore, in some new scenarios, outbreaks of new infections like covid or new situations with viruses, sometimes you should rely on a holistic approach to save lives.

• President of the International Forum of the BRICS Countries Purnima Anand

• RT

- How would you describe the current situation with covid in India?

- Now we are receiving information about the third wave.

If there is a third wave, it will be more dangerous.

Because it is very difficult to cope with a mutated virus.

We will see how the situation will develop, because the second wave was stronger than the first.

So if there is a third, India will have a hard time.

- Do the BRICS countries have joint projects for the development or production of vaccines and drugs against covid?

- Yes, we are working on a joint project regarding the situation with the covid.

In India, some medical organizations - such as Apollo Hospitals and Dr Reddy's Laboratories - are distributing Sputnik and providing injections to citizens.

In addition, they have embarked on a joint project with Russia, which, I hope, will help resolve many problems.

After all, India has a large population, and it needs more vaccines.

And if there is a third wave, we will need to get vaccinated very quickly.

• Russian vaccine "Sputnik V"

• AFP

• © Prakash SINGH

- Today Russia is actively developing the Arctic direction.

Does India have an interest in this region and in cooperation with the Russian Federation in the Arctic?

- Yes, now the Arctic region is very important.

This is where the Blue Economy concept works.

Research work is underway in the oil and gas field.

The Russian Yamal LNG project is also of great importance, since within its framework Russia has the opportunity to supply oil and gas to all of Europe.

This is the richest source of gas.

Thus, the development of the Arctic direction and cooperation on it are very important, including for the Indian economy.

A large amount of research work on the line of the Arctic states can be organized jointly.

- Are the BRICS countries also interested in the Arctic direction?

- As far as I know - since I attend programs dedicated to the Ugra region, in which representatives of all Arctic states participate, and I am present there as a representative of public organizations and BRICS - the BRICS countries show interest in him.

The region is rich in resources, and therefore opportunities, and states, in turn, are ready to cooperate when opportunities exist.

- How are the working relations between India and China developing within the BRICS, taking into account the last year's conflict in Ladakh?

- We have some difficulties related to borders.

There are many factors in relations between India and China, both positive and negative.

We have a common border and we are neighbors.

However, you cannot fight with your neighbors, you need to cooperate with them.

We have good turnovers in the domestic markets.

India is importing a large volume of Chinese products, and work is underway on many joint projects - railways, subways, oil and steel projects.

Thus, within the BRICS, India and China have a new space for building partnerships.

However, within the framework of the UN and the G20 summits, we are separate.

It seems to me that within the BRICS we will continue to cooperate and find new opportunities and new solutions to problems on the border.

Neighbors are neighbors, they must negotiate and work together.

- What are the plans for the development of BRICS?

And what will be the role of the BRICS countries in global geopolitics?

- The BRICS countries occupy a very large area.

We have deserts, sea, land, fertile territories - everything.

In terms of natural resources and geography, we have a more advantageous position than the European inland countries.

So the BRICS countries should unite and look for new "road maps".

China is developing a "New Silk Road" that creates opportunities for (development -

) trade, higher education and a new transportation system.

I think this will give the BRICS countries a new roadmap for the development of their economic ties.

And on this path (to them -

) new states will join.

The BRICS countries have a very wide cultural diversity, we have different currencies, different languages.

• President of the International Forum of the BRICS Countries Purnima Anand

• RT

Our union can also provide for the unification of currencies, as the European Union did, where the euro is currently in force.

We are not opposed to the dollar, but we do not like its hegemony.

We attach importance to our currency as well.

So, recently I met in Moscow with (representatives -

) of very large organizations.

The decision was made to trade in rupees and rubles rather than dollars, as it takes time and requires additional costs, which hinders the development of trade.

Blockchain and cryptocurrency are emerging now, and currency exchange is going very quickly.

If we in the current BRICS countries do not work together on currency issues, we will lose a lot.

- How do you assess the role of Russia in the development of BRICS?

- Russia has a very important role. I have been working in the BRICS sector since 2008, and the first summit was held in Yekaterinburg. That is, from the very beginning, Russia took the initiative and organized many BRICS programs, paying attention not only to trade, business and the economy of a higher level, but also inviting young people to understand what the BRICS is and what its importance is. Namely, the future depends on the younger generation. If young people understand the scale, prospects and opportunities in the BRICS sector, then they will work in this direction. Many BRICS organizations are developing in Russia. And especially at the Eurasian Women's Forum, we see that the BRICS Women's Business Alliance is showing good results. The last time I was here, at the second Eurasian Women's Forum, we launched a program within the framework of this alliance. And this work is expanding.

* "Taliban" - the organization was recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of February 14, 2003.