External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar wrapped up his three-day visit to Russia on Thursday with a meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
“Honored to call on President Putin at the Kremlin today. Conveyed the warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi,” Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting.
He added that he briefed the Russian President on his discussions with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“The preparations for the Annual Leaders’ Summit are well underway. Appreciate his sharing perspectives on the global situation and recent developments on Ukraine,” Jaishankar said.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit was aimed at “further strengthening the longstanding and time-tested India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
During the visit, Jaishankar co-chaired the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). He also held high-level meetings with President Putin, First Deputy PM Manturov, and FM Lavrov, covering a wide range of bilateral and global issues.
At the 26th Session of the IRIGC-TEC, co-chaired by Jaishankar and Deputy PM Manturov on August 20, “both sides emphasised tariff and non-tariff barriers, removing bottlenecks in logistics, promoting connectivity, effecting payment mechanisms smoothly, and timely finalisation and execution of the Programme of Economic Cooperation till 2030.”
The early conclusion of the India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement and regular engagements between Indian and Russian businesses were emphasised as critical to achieving the revised bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030, the MEA statement said.
Energy cooperation and mobility of Indian skilled professionals, especially in IT, construction, and engineering, were also discussed. The session concluded with the signing of the Protocol for the 26th IRIGC-TEC.
Both leaders later addressed the India-Russia Business Forum, which “saw participation from a wide range of stakeholders” and emphasised coordination between the Forum and Working Groups under the IRIGC.
On August 21, according to the Ministry’s statement, EAM Jaishankar held talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, undertaking a “comprehensive review of the entire gamut of India–Russia bilateral relations, including in trade, connectivity, Defence, military-technical cooperation, and the fast-tracking of new Indian Consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg.”
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to global multilateralism, including collaboration in G20, BRICS, and SCO, and jointly stressed the need for UN Security Council reforms.
“EAM underlined the imperative to expand and energise the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities,” the statement said.
Regional issues such as Ukraine, the Middle East, West Asia, and Afghanistan were also discussed.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s firm stance on dialogue and diplomacy and also raised concerns over Indians serving in the Russian Army, calling for swift resolution of pending cases.
On counter-terrorism, both nations “resolved to fight jointly against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.” Jaishankar conveyed India’s strong stance, reiterating its “zero‑tolerance policy against terrorism and its sovereign right to defend Indian citizens against cross-border terrorism,” MEA stated.
The visit concluded with discussions on preparations for the upcoming Annual Summit between the Indian and Russian leadership, and EAM Jaishankar extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Lavrov to visit India at a mutually convenient time.