External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held wide-ranging discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday, covering bilateral cooperation, regional flashpoints, global challenges and multilateral issues. The talks also focused on the situations in Ukraine, Iran and Afghanistan, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, which cited the Russian foreign ministry.

Jaishankar arrived in Moscow on Sunday for a two-day visit, which comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected trip to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit on September 12-13. The visit has also provided an opportunity for India and Russia to review economic cooperation and coordination on international issues.

Ukraine, Iran And Afghanistan Figure In Talks

Jaishankar described his meeting with Lavrov as a “wide-ranging conversation” in a post on X on Tuesday. “A wide-ranging conversation this evening with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Discussed our bilateral cooperation, regional hotspots, global challenges and multilateral issues,” he said.

According to TASS, the two foreign ministers discussed key issues on the international agenda and coordinated their positions on developments in Afghanistan, Iran and Ukraine.

The Russian foreign ministry also said the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination through the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS and the Group of Twenty.

The ministers further agreed to strengthen what Moscow described as “trust-based dialogue at all levels”, signalling an effort to maintain close diplomatic engagement between the two countries amid a range of regional and global challenges.

India, Russia Push Economic Cooperation

The Moscow talks come as India and Russia look to deepen economic engagement and broaden cooperation across several sectors. Jaishankar’s visit included discussions with the Russian leadership on trade, energy, fertilisers and nuclear cooperation.

On Monday, Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin, with economic ties forming a key part of their discussions. The meeting came as both countries continue to review areas where bilateral economic cooperation can be expanded.

Jaishankar also co-chaired a meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.

The engagements in Moscow have therefore combined a review of the broader India-Russia relationship with discussions on economic cooperation and coordination through multilateral organisations.

Putin’s Expected India Visit

Jaishankar’s visit takes place ahead of Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit on September 12-13. The upcoming summit is expected to provide another platform for the two countries to discuss bilateral and international issues.

The latest meetings also underline the continued emphasis by India and Russia on maintaining close diplomatic engagement, particularly on regional developments and cooperation in multilateral forums.

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