<span style="color: #222222;">External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today defended the India-Russia strategic and defence partnership saying that Western countries did not supply weapons to India for decades. He said the West saw military dictatorship next to us as a preferred partner.<br />''<br />''Addressing a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong of Australia at Canberra, Dr. S. Jaishankar said, the inventory of Soviet and Russian-origin weapons grew for various reasons as the Western countries did not supply weapons to India for decades. He said, in international politics, the country makes judgment as per the future interest and current situation.<br />''Speaking about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the External Affairs Minister said, India is against the conflict in Ukraine.<br />''<br />''He said, India believes that this conflict does not serve the interest of anybody. He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand, where Mr. Modi had emphasized that this is not an era of war. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concern on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.<br />''<br />''Earlier, Dr S Jaishankar held the 13th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra today. They took stock of the steady progress of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including important Ministerial visits in recent months. Both Ministers also discussed Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement ECTA progress, defence, counter terrorism, mobility of talent and skills, education, double taxation avoidance, critical minerals, cyber, clean energy and Sustainable Development Goals.<br />''<br />''Dr Jaishankar and Ms Wong also exchanged views on global and regional developments, recognizing the strong convergences and shared interests. They agreed to work closely together in Quad, trilaterals, G20, UN and other important forums.</span><br />