New Delhi (India), November 17 (ANI): Nikolay Patrushev, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, arrived in India and held discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Russian Embassy said on Monday. In a post on X, the embassy noted that Patrushev also met India’s National Maritime Security Coordinator, Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta.
The meeting came as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was in Russia for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that negotiations between the two ministers would be held in Moscow today, setting the stage for a significant round of discussions ahead of President Putin’s planned visit to India in December.
According to the ministry, the discussions are expected to cover upcoming political engagements between New Delhi and Moscow, as well as major bilateral, regional, and global developments. Cooperation within multilateral groups such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, the United Nations, and the G20 is also likely to feature prominently.
Jaishankar is currently leading the Indian delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, which will be hosted by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on November 18. Russian officials have indicated that Lavrov and Jaishankar are expected to review preparations for President Putin’s visit for the 23rd annual India–Russia summit scheduled for early December, according to reports from TASS.
Putin had earlier directed his government to explore proposals aimed at expanding trade and economic cooperation with India, including resolving issues related to logistics, payments, and the growing trade imbalance. The Russian president last visited India in 2021.
Today’s dialogue follows Jaishankar’s earlier visit to Russia from August 19–21, during which he co-chaired the 26th meeting of the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). At that time, he met President Putin, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, and Foreign Minister Lavrov. Their discussions focused on bilateral priorities, trade mechanisms, connectivity projects, tariff challenges, and progress on the India–Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The ministry also noted that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to reforming global governance institutions and strengthening cooperation within the G20, BRICS, and the SCO. Jaishankar emphasized the need to expand and modernize the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities.
India and Russia signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2000, laying the foundation for annual summits and deep cooperation across political, defense, economic, and technological sectors. In 2010, the relationship was elevated to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
Today’s meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov is expected to continue this momentum as both countries prepare for a series of high-level engagements in the coming weeks, including President Putin’s early December visit to India for the annual summit.
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