Moscow – Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, ahead of the highly anticipated annual India-Russia summit. The meeting signals a strong commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.
Jaishankar, who is in Moscow to lead the Indian delegation for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting, briefed President Putin on preparations for the upcoming summit. The annual India-Russia summit is expected to take place around December 5, when Putin is scheduled to visit India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Honoured to call on President Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Conveyed greetings of Prime Minister @narendramodi," Jaishankar shared on social media. "Apprised him of preparations underway for the upcoming Annual India Russia Summit. Also discussed regional and global developments. Deeply value his perspectives and guidance on further advancement of our ties".
Visuals released by the Kremlin showed Putin warmly receiving Jaishankar in the Representative Office of the Senate Palace. Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Joint Secretary Mayank Singh accompanied Jaishankar. The meeting was also attended by high-ranking Russian officials, including Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.
Earlier on Monday, Jaishankar held extensive discussions with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, focusing on various aspects of the bilateral and international agenda. These discussions also centered on preparing for the annual India-Russia Summit, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the India-Russia relationship, describing it as a "factor of stability in international relations". He noted that frequent high-level engagements between the two countries have deepened cooperation across various sectors and enhanced mutual understanding on international issues. Discussions covered trade and investment, energy, mobility, agriculture, technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
In addition to bilateral talks, Jaishankar addressed the SCO Council of Heads of Government, advocating for a "zero tolerance" approach to terrorism. He asserted India's right to defend its people against terrorism and urged the SCO to adapt to the changing global landscape by expanding its agenda and reforming its working methods.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Putin's top aide, Nikolai Patrushev, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss bilateral cooperation, particularly in the maritime sector, and preparations for the upcoming India-Russia Summit.
The forthcoming summit is expected to further solidify the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" between India and Russia, with several bilateral agreements and initiatives in advanced stages of discussion. The leaders are also expected to exchange views on pressing global issues, including the Ukraine conflict and developments in the Middle East.
