A few weeks before Vladimir Putin arrives in India for the 23rd India–Russia Summit, S Jaishankar travelled to Moscow for talks with Sergey Lavrov. This was already their sixth meeting this year, and the focus was to firm up plans for Putin’s visit and wrap up key agreements, especially around defence and mobility.
While Jaishankar was in Moscow, Putin’s long-time adviser Nikolay Patrushev met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi. Their discussion also revolved around strengthening ties.
Jaishankar said his regular conversations with Lavrov have helped both sides stay aligned on major regional and global issues. He noted that India and Russia have always spoken frankly, even during turbulent moments in global politics. He also pointed out that this meeting felt more significant because both countries are now preparing for Putin’s trip to India, expected in the first week of December.
During the visit, India and Russia hope to seal several bilateral agreements and announce new joint projects. Jaishankar said these steps would add more depth to the countries’ Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. He added that the ministers would use their meeting to compare views on the biggest global flashpoints right now, including the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East and the situation in Afghanistan.
Jaishankar welcomed recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in these conflicts and said a quick end to fighting and a lasting peace would benefit everyone. He is in Moscow for the SCO Council of Prime Ministers meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday. Putin is also expected to meet the SCO leaders during their stay.
The timing of these exchanges is notable. The US has been pressuring India over its imports of Russian oil. After Washington imposed a 50 percent tariff on India, Donald Trump said he discussed trade issues and India’s reduced Russian oil purchases with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar, however, underlined that India–Russia ties have long acted as a stabilising force in global affairs.
India has repeatedly said its oil decisions are driven by the need to protect Indian consumers in a volatile global energy market.
