India-Russia ties a model for diplomacy: Krishna

New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Friday flagged India-Russia bilateral ties, which are in their 65th year, as "a model of depth and understanding" between any two nations.

In a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov to felicitate him on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of India-Russia diplomatic relations, Krisha also said that their close ties served as "an anchor and a pivot of durable peace, a just global order and of multilateral stability."

Krishna is in Moscow to for a meeting of foreign ministers of India, Russia and China, after which he is scheduled to attend an event to mark the 65th anniversary of India-Russia bilateral ties.

"From Soviet assistance in India's early industrialisation and security endeavours, to a strong partnership in joint development and design in strategic sectors, the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership is today a model of depth and understanding for any two nation states," he said in the letter.

"As emerging and responsible stake-holders in an ever-changing international system, our close relations serve as an anchor and a pivot of durable peace, a just global order and of multilateral stability," he said.

Krishna said, "over the last six-and-a-half decades, our multi-dimensional relationship has evolved in different ways, but deep friendship and trust has always been the hallmark of our ties.

"Our unique bonds have been nurtured and reinforced with every succeeding generation, enjoying a strong positive consensus across the political and social spectrum in both countries."

Krishna also told his Russian counterpart that he looked forward to working with him closely in the years to come, to take forward the special and privileged strategic partnership to a qualitatively higher level.