During a recent visit to Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his desire to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon, as he hosted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Kremlin. The engagement was part of Jaishankar’s two-day diplomatic mission aimed at strengthening Indo-Russian relations. Putin expressed his intention for a future meeting with Modi, potentially tied to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation events. Additionally, he is anticipated to travel to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit scheduled for September.
The discussions between Putin and Jaishankar underscored the growing economic ties between the two nations. The Russian leader highlighted the increased trade volume and emphasized Russia’s commitment to enhancing fertiliser supplies to India. He reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to further expand these crucial exports, signifying an emphasis on agricultural collaboration that benefits both economies.
Parallel to the presidential meeting, Jaishankar engaged in talks with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. The discussions focused on bolstering bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Manturov pointed out the potential for Russia to localize nuclear fuel production within India, highlighting another facet of the strategic partnership between the countries.
As part of his visit, Jaishankar is also set to hold a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This dialogue is expected to address not only the bilateral relationship but also significant regional and global issues, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the diplomatic engagement between India and Russia.