EAM Jaishankar Meets Russian FM Lavrov
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held extensive talks with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow on Monday, November 17, as part of preparations for the upcoming 23rd Annual India-Russia Summit.
The meeting focused on reviewing the bilateral strategic partnership and exchanging views on pressing regional and global issues.
Key Highlights of the Meeting
Summit Preparations: The primary focus was on finalizing the agenda and a “number of bilateral agreements, initiatives and projects” ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi in early December for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
EAM Jaishankar stated that the finalization of these pacts would “add more substance and texture to our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
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Bilateral Cooperation: Discussions covered the full spectrum of the India-Russia partnership, including:
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Trade and Investment
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Energy
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Defence and Military-Technical Cooperation
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Mobility and People-to-people exchanges
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Agriculture and Technology
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Global and Regional Issues: The ministers also engaged in an “open exchange” on the complex global situation, including the Ukraine conflict, developments in the Middle East, and the situation in Afghanistan.
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Factor of Stability: EAM Jaishankar underscored the historical importance of the relationship, stating, “India-Russia ties have long been a factor of stability in international relations. Its growth and evolution are not only in our mutual interest but also in that of the world.”
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On the Ukraine Conflict: Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent stand, saying, “India supports recent efforts towards establishing peace. We hope that all parties approach that goal constructively. An early cessation of the conflict and the ensuring of an enduring peace is in the interest of the entire international community.”
Context of the Visit
EAM Jaishankar is currently in Moscow for a three-day visit, where he is also leading the Indian delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting on Tuesday.
His bilateral meeting with FM Lavrov marks their sixth interaction this year, signaling the continued high-level diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Moscow despite the complex global geopolitical landscape.
The upcoming India-Russia Annual Summit is expected to yield significant outcomes to further solidify their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
