Moscow [Russia], November 17 (ANI): The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that “negotiations will be held in Moscow” today between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, setting the stage for an important round of discussions ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to India in December.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the ministers are expected to review upcoming political engagements between New Delhi and Moscow and discuss key bilateral, regional and global issues. Cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, the United Nations and the G20 is expected to feature prominently during the talks.
Jaishankar is currently in Moscow leading the Indian delegation for the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, scheduled to be hosted by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on November 18. Russian officials said Lavrov and Jaishankar are likely to discuss preparations for President Putin’s visit to New Delhi for the 23rd annual India–Russia summit in early December, as reported by TASS. Putin earlier directed his government to examine proposals aimed at expanding trade and economic cooperation with India, including addressing issues related to logistics, payments and the growing trade imbalance. The Russian president last visited India in 2021.
Today’s dialogue comes less than three months after Jaishankar’s visit to Russia from August 19–21, when he co-chaired the 26th India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).
“On August 21, EAM met Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and undertook a comprehensive review of the entire gamut of India–Russia bilateral relations, including in sectors like trade and economic cooperation, various connectivity initiatives, political, defence and military-technical cooperation, fast-tracking of opening of two new Indian Consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg, etc. On global and multilateral cooperation, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to reform of global governance, and collaboration in G20, BRICS and the SCO. EAM underlined the imperative to expand and energise the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
During that visit, Jaishankar also met President Putin, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Foreign Minister Lavrov. Discussions focused on bilateral priorities, trade mechanisms, connectivity, tariff barriers and progress on the India–Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement, according to the MEA. India also raised concerns regarding its nationals serving in the Russian Army and sought expedited resolution of pending cases. Regional issues — including developments in Ukraine, West Asia and Afghanistan — were reviewed, with India reiterating its view that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential.
Earlier this month, the MEA confirmed that at least 44 Indian nationals are currently serving in the Russian army. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government has raised the matter with Russian authorities, urging the release of these individuals and warning Indian citizens not to accept recruitment offers due to the severe risks involved.
“In the last few months, yes, we have come to know, we have been informed of several Indian nationals who have been recruited in the Russian army. We have once again taken up the matter with the Russian authorities to have them released at the earliest, as also to put an end to this practice,” Jaiswal said.
India and Russia signed their Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2000, laying the foundation for annual summits and cooperation in political, defence, economic and technological domains. In 2010, bilateral ties were elevated to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
Today’s meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov is expected to build on that long-standing engagement as both sides prepare for high-level interactions in the coming weeks, including President Putin’s early December summit visit.
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