During a two-day visit to Moscow, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was welcomed at the Kremlin by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In this meeting, Putin conveyed his desire to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon, expressing optimism that such an encounter might occur in connection with the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Additionally, Putin is anticipated to travel to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit scheduled for September.
President Putin underscored the strengthening trade relations between Russia and India, noting an increase in fertiliser shipments to India, with Moscow prepared to expand these supplies further. This emphasis on economic ties reflects a broader push to enhance bilateral trade between the two nations.
Earlier in his visit, Jaishankar engaged in discussions with Denis Manturov, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, focusing on boosting economic cooperation and trade. Manturov highlighted the potential for Russia to localise nuclear fuel production in India, indicating a commitment to deepening their economic collaboration.
The visit is also expected to include a meeting between Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Their discussions are anticipated to cover a range of topics, including the current state of bilateral relations and significant regional and global issues.