New Delhi/Moscow: Amidst growing global geopolitical shifts, India and Russia continue to reinforce their strategic partnership through high-level diplomatic engagements. On Monday, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met with Nikolai Patrushev, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, in New Delhi. Simultaneously, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar is in Moscow for bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
The meeting between Doval and Patrushev focused on a range of critical issues, including maritime cooperation between the two nations. The Russian Embassy in India confirmed the discussions via a Telegram post, highlighting the importance of the maritime domain in the evolving India-Russia relationship. Patrushev also met with India's National Maritime Security Coordinator, Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta.
In Moscow, EAM Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Lavrov to discuss bilateral ties and upcoming political engagements. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the ministers will address "upcoming political contacts" and key bilateral and international issues of mutual interest. This includes a detailed review of cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, the United Nations, and the G20.
Jaishankar is also leading the Indian delegation at the SCO Council of Prime Ministers meeting in Moscow on Tuesday. The SCO meeting, hosted by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, will see Russia assume the rotating presidency of the bloc from China. While Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will also be in Moscow for the SCO meeting, a bilateral meeting with Jaishankar is not expected.
These diplomatic efforts serve as crucial preparation for President Putin's anticipated visit to India in early December for the annual India-Russia Summit. This will be Putin's first visit to India since 2021. During the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" between India and Russia.
India and Russia have a long-standing mechanism of annual summit meetings to review the entire scope of their relationship. In October, PM Modi conveyed birthday greetings to Putin and reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation.
Economic cooperation is also a key focus. Bilateral trade has more than doubled since 2014, and both countries are working towards a target of $100 billion by 2030. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal recently met with Russia's Deputy Economic Development Minister Vladimir Ilyichev in Moscow for the 26th Meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Trade & Economic Cooperation. They finalized a protocol on trade and economic cooperation across multiple sectors.
Furthermore, India and Russia are expected to sign a bilateral mobility agreement during Putin's visit, which will establish a framework for legal migration and protect the rights of workers. The agreement aims to facilitate the entry of skilled Indian professionals into Russia, addressing the country's shortage of qualified workers in various sectors.
Despite pressure from the US to reduce its reliance on Russian energy and military hardware, India has maintained its strategic autonomy in its relationship with Russia. Russia has become one of India's top energy suppliers. The two countries are also working to improve the system of mutual settlements in the face of Western sanctions, with a significant shift towards settlements in national and alternative currencies.
