During External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his eagerness to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the near future. Hosting Jaishankar at the Kremlin, Putin expressed his desire for their meeting to coincide with an upcoming event related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Furthermore, Putin is anticipated to travel to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit scheduled in September.
Putin took the opportunity to emphasize the strengthening trade relations between Russia and India, highlighting a significant increase in Moscow’s fertiliser exports to the subcontinent. He also assured that Russia is prepared to further expand these supplies to support India’s agricultural sector. This mutual economic cooperation is a key element in the growing diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Earlier in the visit, Jaishankar engaged in discussions with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, focusing on enhancing bilateral trade and economic collaboration. Manturov indicated Russia’s interest in potentially localizing nuclear fuel production in India, which could mark a significant step forward in the countries’ strategic partnership.
As part of his agenda, Jaishankar is also set to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Their discussions are expected to cover a broad range of topics, including the current status and future prospects of bilateral relations, as well as pressing regional and global issues.