NEW DELHI: Ahead of next month’s India–Russia annual summit, the two countries have intensified diplomatic engagement, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide Nikolai Patrushev holding talks with NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi.
During his meeting with Lavrov, Jaishankar said India–Russia relations have long contributed to stability in global affairs, adding that the continued growth of the partnership is in the interest of both nations and the world.
Jaishankar is in Moscow to attend the SCO Heads of Government Meeting. He and Lavrov discussed preparations for the upcoming summit, likely to take place on December 4–5, during which President Putin is expected to visit India. The ministers also reviewed key regional and international developments.
Jaishankar noted that several bilateral agreements, initiatives, and projects across different sectors are under discussion ahead of the summit. “We look forward to their finalisation in the coming days. These will add further substance and texture to our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” he said.
He added that India and Russia will exchange views on the complex global landscape with the openness that has always defined their relationship. “This includes the Ukraine conflict, as well as developments in the Middle East and Afghanistan. India supports recent efforts to establish peace and hopes all parties work towards that goal constructively. An early end to the conflict and lasting peace is in the interest of the entire international community,” he said.
