Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has commenced a five-day visit to Moscow, where he is scheduled to engage in discussions with Russian officials on a range of bilateral and global issues. Expressing anticipation for his upcoming commitments, Jaishankar conveyed his arrival in Moscow via a post on social media platform X. As part of his itinerary, he will also journey to St. Petersburg, as reported by PTI.
The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi emphasized the enduring stability and resilience of the India-Russia partnership, highlighting its Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. During his stay, Minister Jaishankar is set to meet with Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, focusing on economic engagement matters. Additionally, talks are planned with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, encompassing discussions on bilateral, multilateral, and international issues.
Emphasizing the robust people-to-people and cultural ties between the two nations, the Ministry stated that Jaishankar's program includes engagements in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. The discussions are expected to cover various facets of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on trade, energy, defense, and connectivity.
Noteworthy is the sustained strength of ties between India and Russia, even amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Despite increasing concerns in Western countries, India's import of Russian crude oil has seen a significant rise.
