India and Russia on Thursday reaffirmed their resolve to deepen trade and strategic cooperation, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meeting President Vladimir Putin in Moscow after holding comprehensive talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The discussions ranged from trade imbalances and energy cooperation to counterterrorism and global governance reforms, while also setting the stage for Putin’s forthcoming visit to India later this year.
At a joint press conference with Lavrov, Jaishankar underscored the resilience of bilateral relations. “We believe that relations between India and Russia have been among the steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War. Geo-political convergence, leadership contacts and popular sentiment remain its key drivers,” he remarked.
Trade, however, dominated much of the dialogue. Both sides pledged to expand commerce “in a balanced and sustainable manner,” with India pressing for the swift removal of non-tariff barriers and regulatory hurdles that restrict exports. “Enhancing Indian exports to Russia in sectors like pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and textiles will certainly help to correct the current imbalance,” Jaishankar said. The long-term supply of fertilisers and avenues for Indian skilled workers in Russia’s IT, construction and engineering sectors were also discussed.
Energy cooperation, a cornerstone of the partnership, remained central. Jaishankar said sustaining engagement through both trade and investment would be vital for stability.
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Terrorism too featured in the talks, with the external affairs minister declaring, “On terrorism, we resolved to fight jointly against all forms and manifestations of terrorism. I conveyed India’s strong resolve to adopt a zero tolerance policy against terrorism and our sovereign right to defend our citizens against cross-border terrorism.”
Jaishankar also raised the issue of Indians recruited into the Russian Army, noting that while some had been released, “there are still some pending cases and some missing persons. We hope that the Russian side will expeditiously resolve these matters.”
On global governance, the two ministers called for reforms to better reflect contemporary realities. “We underlined the imperative to expand and energise the UN Security Council,” Jaishankar said, adding that collaboration in forums such as the G20, BRICS and SCO remains “deep-rooted and forward looking.”
Regional crises including Ukraine, West Asia and Afghanistan were also reviewed. “India’s approach continues to emphasise dialogue and diplomacy as essential to resolving differences,” Jaishankar stressed.
The Moscow visit, beginning Tuesday, is seen as crucial in preparing the ground for Putin’s likely visit to India in November or December, where several agreements may be sealed to consolidate the partnership.
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