India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, is set to embark on a significant five-day visit to Russia starting December 25, aiming to enhance bilateral ties between the two nations. The visit, part of ongoing high-level exchanges, is crucial, given that India and Russia will not hold their annual leaders’ summit this year.
During his visit, Jaishankar will engage with top Russian leadership in Moscow, including meetings with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who also serves as the Industry and Trade Minister. Discussions with Manturov will focus on matters related to economic engagement between the two nations. Additionally, Jaishankar will hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, covering a spectrum of bilateral, multilateral, and international issues.
The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the enduring India-Russia partnership, emphasizing its stability and resilience, characterized by the spirit of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. The visit aims to further strengthen this historical relationship, encompassing robust people-to-people and cultural ties.
Despite the absence of the annual leaders’ summit, Jaishankar’s visit underscores the continued commitment to maintaining strong ties between India and Russia. The last summit took place in New Delhi in December 2021, and the altered travel plans of Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, have affected subsequent meetings.
Key issues expected to feature in the discussions include trade, connectivity, the expansion of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (Brics) grouping, collaboration at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, defense cooperation, and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Jaishankar’s program will also include engagements in Moscow and St Petersburg, enhancing diplomatic and cultural connections between the two nations. The visit is poised to deepen the strategic relationship and contribute to the mutual understanding of shared interests and concerns.
