New Delhi/Moscow, November 18: India and Russia are working to conclude a series of agreements and initiatives ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi early next month, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Monday during talks in Moscow.
Jaishankar held extensive discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as both sides prepared for the 23rd annual India–Russia summit, set to take place around December 5. The meeting will bring Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi together to assess the full range of bilateral ties under their longstanding “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
“A number of bilateral agreements, initiatives and projects are under discussion in various fields,” Jaishankar said in his opening remarks. “We look forward to their finalisation in the coming days. These will certainly add more substance and texture to our partnership.”
Jaishankar noted that India supports recent diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Russia–Ukraine conflict, emphasising that an “early cessation” of hostilities and a durable peace would serve global interests. “We hope all parties approach that goal constructively,” he said.
He added that India–Russia ties have long been a factor of stability in international relations. “Its growth and evolution is not only in our mutual interest but also in that of the world,” he said.
The ministers also exchanged views on broader geopolitical challenges, including the situation in the Middle East and developments in Afghanistan.
Jaishankar’s Moscow visit is widely seen as a key step in preparing the ground for Putin’s trip, which is expected to yield significant outcomes and further strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries. India and Russia have maintained an annual summit mechanism for more than two decades, alternating meetings between the two capitals. The last summit took place in Moscow in July last year, when Modi travelled to Russia.
Russia remains a central pillar of India’s foreign policy, with both nations describing their partnership as time-tested and resilient despite shifting global dynamics.
