Jaishankar Meets Putin in Moscow Ahead of India-Russia Summit
Jaishankar Meets Putin in Moscow Ahead of India-Russia Summit
Jaishankar and Putin held talks in Moscow on SCO sidelines as Delhi-readies for December summit with new bilateral deals on energy, defense, and maritime collaboration.
In Moscow, external affairs minister S Jaishankar met President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, signaling intensified preparations for the 23rd annual India-Russia summit in New Delhi in December. The talks underscore a push to finalise bilateral deals across energy, defence, technology and maritime cooperation, aiming to add substance and texture to the long-standing strategic partnership.
Jaishankar also held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, stressing that the meetings are moving toward concrete outcomes in the coming days as both sides seek to broaden cooperation in multiple domains. The emphasis on diversification and addressing supply-side risks reflects broader global concerns about energy security and strategic resilience.
As India navigates global pressures, including some US calls to curb Russian energy imports, officials have reiterated that the India-Russia relationship remains a stabilising factor in international relations and that continued growth serves mutual interests. The SCO backdrop provides a platform for broader coordination on regional security and maritime cooperation, with officials noting the importance of a robust partnership as Moscow looks to reinforce ties ahead of Putin’s visit to New Delhi in December for the annual summit.
Industry and government sources describe the talks as a milestone in pushing forward a slate of agreements that could touch on trade, energy projects, defence collaboration, and maritime initiatives, reflecting a desire to deepen practical cooperation beyond symbolic gestures. Both sides are expected to reveal more details in the run-up to the December talks, signaling a runway for substantive deals rather than mere diplomatic rhetoric.
Cover image source: India-Russia finalising deals ahead of Putin’s visit, says EAM Jaishankar 🔗
