Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, hours after holding wide-ranging talks with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The discussions primarily focused on expanding trade relations between the two countries.
Strengthening bilateral relations
Speaking at a joint media briefing with Lavrov, Jaishankar described India-Russia relations as among the steadiest in the world since the Second World War. “Geo-political convergence, leadership contacts, and popular sentiment remain its key drivers,” he said, emphasising the enduring nature of the bilateral partnership.
The meeting comes amid external pressure on India, including U.S. tariffs and calls to curb oil imports from Russia, which Washington claims fuels the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
India-Russia business and cooperation
During his three-day visit to Russia, Jaishankar co-chaired the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) and addressed the India-Russia Business Forum in Moscow.
The meetings are aimed at boosting economic, scientific, and technological cooperation, enhancing trade, and exploring new avenues for collaboration between Indian and Russian enterprises.
Conclusion
The discussions between Jaishankar, Lavrov, and Putin underline India’s commitment to maintaining strong, stable, and multifaceted ties with Russia, while continuing to expand trade and investment opportunities despite geopolitical pressures.