New Delhi, Aug. 1 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday defended India's long-standing relationship with Russia, calling it "steady and time-tested," amid growing criticism from the US.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during the weekly media briefing, emphasised that India's relations with any country are based on their own merit and shouldn't be viewed through the lens of third countries

"Our ties with any country stand on their merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. As far as India-Russia relations are concerned, we have a steady and time-tested partnership," he said.

Jaiswal's comments came after a series of statements from the US, including from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State ...