During a recent visit to Moscow by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his eagerness to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This sentiment was shared at the Kremlin as Jaishankar embarked on a two-day diplomatic mission to Russia. Putin conveyed his best wishes to Modi through Jaishankar and expressed optimism that their next meeting might coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s activities. Additionally, Putin is anticipated to travel to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit scheduled for September.
Emphasizing the strengthening economic ties between Russia and India, Putin highlighted the burgeoning trade relations between the two nations. He noted that Moscow has been augmenting its fertiliser exports to India and reiterated Russia’s willingness to further expand these supplies. This increase in trade underscores the deepening partnership between the countries, particularly in areas crucial to India’s agricultural sector.
In an earlier meeting, Jaishankar engaged in discussions with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. Their talks centered around enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Manturov pointed out the potential for Russia to localize nuclear fuel production within India, indicating a significant step forward in energy collaboration between the two countries.
As part of his visit, Jaishankar is also slated to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Their discussions are expected to cover a broad spectrum of topics, including bilateral relations and significant regional and global developments. This engagement underscores the ongoing dialogue and cooperation between India and Russia on various international issues.