Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 23 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Friday said India's bilateral ties with Russia are not in trouble over the ongoing controversy surrounding the possible ban on Bhagwad Gita across Russia, and added that the matter is still pending in court.
"There is no problem there. I think it is before a court of law in Tomsk in Siberia and we are expecting the court to give its verdict on the (December) 28th and 29th," he told the media here.
Krishna had earlier on Tuesday said he was confident that the Russian Government would take appropriate steps to neutralise and end the controversy arising out of a Russian language commentary that described the Bhagwad Gita as "Extremist Literature".
The External Affairs Minister, in a statement in Lok Sabha on court hearing in Tomsk (Russia) on Bhagwad Gita, said that he fully shared the sentiments expressed by the House on this issue.
"Honourable Members would agree that the Bhagwad Gita is not simply a religious text; it is one of the defining treatises of Indian thought and describes the very soul of our great civilization. The Gita is far above any cheap propaganda or attacks by the ignorant or the misdirected. In Russia itself, we have many great Indologists, scholars and experts who understand the essence of the Gita and have written on it with reverence and passion," said Krishna.
"We do not want to dignify with too much attention some misdirected individuals who have filed an absurd complaint. We are confident that our Russian friends, who understand our civilizational values and cultural sensitivities, will resolve this matter appropriately," he added.
Krishna further downplayed concerns over reports of the presence of the Chinese Navy in harbours of the Republic of Seychelles.
He said that India is looking forward to strengthen the already strong bilateral ties with Seychelles.
"Well, you know, we have very cordial relations with Seychelles and the relationship between two sovereign countries is dependent upon them. What we are concerned about is our own relationship with Seychelles, which is cordial, which is friendly and we certainly would like to improve on that," said Krishna.
According to reports, China will consider turning to the Seychelles as a re-supply port for navy ships taking part in anti-piracy operations off Africa, rejecting suggestions this would amount to a military base that could unsettle the region. (ANI)
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