India, Feb. 18 -- Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill has said India's relationship with Russia is based on friendship and Moscow was, is and will remain a strong and ally of New Delhi, amid the sharp reactions from Western countries over the death of Russia's opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Speaking to DW on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Jaiveer Shergill said India is standing by its close relationship with Russia - refusing to join the widespread condemnation of the death of Alexei Navalny - adding that India is "on the side of peace".

Jaiveer Shergill was asked by the German public broadcaster over India's close ties with Moscow, in light of the death of Russia's President Vladimir Putin...