Moscow: In a significant diplomatic development on Wednesday in Moscow, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar convened with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Indian Ambassador to Russia Pavan Kapoor, underscored crucial discussions in bilateral relations between the two nations.
The Russian President extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next year during the meeting with Jaishankar.
“We will be glad to see our friend, Prime Minister Modi in Russia,” Vladimir Putin said during the meeting.
During PM Modi’s visit, “We will be able to discuss all the relevant, current issues and talk to the prospects of the Russian and Indian relationship,” Putin added.
Putin further mentioned the growing trade turnover between Russia and India, attributing it to increases in crude oil and high-tech areas. He noted the steady and higher growth rate in trade turnover for the second consecutive year.
Earlier, EAM Jaishankar also held a meeting with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, delving into pressing global topics spanning the Indo-Pacific region, the conflict in Ukraine, and developments in Gaza.
The two leaders also discussed progress in economic cooperation, connectivity efforts, military-technical cooperation, and people-to-people exchange. Jaishankar noted that ties between India and Russia reflect geopolitical realities, strategic convergence, and mutual benefit.
After the meeting, Jaishankar and Lavrov held a joint press conference. Jaishankar appreciated the India-Russia trade, which is at an all-time high. He said that the negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union will resume in January next year. The Eurasian Economic Union is an economic union of five post-Soviet states located in Eurasia.
Speaking on bilateral cooperation, Jaishankar appreciated the fact that the India-Russia trade is at an all-time high and crossed 50 billion USD last year. “What is important is that this trade is more balanced, sustainable, and provides for more market access,” he added.
In response to a question about India-Russia ties, Jaishankar said, “For us, Russia is a very valued partner. It’s very time-tested partner. It’s a relationship from which both India and Russia have benefited enormously and my presence here today and the fact you know all the developments that I have pointed out including our growing trade, investments, our military technical cooperation, our connectivity projects. I think all of this will give you a good sense of the importance and the value that we attach to the relationship.”
Meanwhile, Sergey Lavrov expressed Russia’s willingness to support India’s initiative to produce military products as part of the ‘Made In India’ program. Lavrov said he and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during the meeting, took a number of steps that will expand cooperation between India and Russia, including the launch of the North-South International Transport Corridor as well as the establishment of the Chennai Vladivostok route.
“As mentioned before, we are respectful of the aspiration of our Indian colleagues to diversify their military and technical links. We also understand and hence we are ready to support their initiative to produce military products as part of the ‘Made in India’ program. We stand ready to cooperate in this area. We have reaffirmed our aspiration to strengthen energy cooperation,” he added.
Jaishankar is on a five-day Russia visit from December 25 to 29 as a part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides.