VOIWORLD/Moscow: Ahead of Russian President Putin’s India visit next month, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, reinforcing momentum in the long-standing India–Russia strategic partnership. The high-level engagement comes ahead of the annual bilateral summit scheduled later this year. Here are ten key takeaways from the visit:
1. Meeting Ahead of Key Summit
Jaishankar’s meeting with Putin was aimed at preparing the ground for the upcoming India–Russia Summit, where both sides are expected to finalise major agreements.
2. Strong Push on Counter-Terrorism
Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that terrorism cannot be justified, ignored, or whitewashed, and called for collective action to combat the threat.
3. Call for SCO Reforms
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation platform, he pushed for reforms to strengthen mechanisms dealing with terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
4. India–Russia Ties Described as ‘Steadiest’
Jaishankar underlined that India–Russia relations have remained one of the most stable major-power partnerships for decades.
5. Trade Growth With Imbalance Concerns
Bilateral trade has expanded sharply in recent years, though India raised concerns about the growing trade imbalance driven largely by energy imports.
6. Focus on Connectivity Corridors
Discussions included boosting connectivity through major initiatives such as the International North–South Transport Corridor, the Northern Sea Route, and the Chennai–Vladivostok maritime link.
7. Preparing Concrete Deliverables
Both sides are pushing to finalise agreements in trade, technology, investment and energy, aiming for substantial outcomes at the December summit.
8. Global Flashpoints Discussed
The meeting covered the ongoing Ukraine conflict, the security situation in Afghanistan, and developments in the Middle East.
9. Push for UN and Global Governance Reforms
India emphasised the need for comprehensive reforms in multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect contemporary global realities.
10. Invitation to Prime Minister Modi
Putin extended a personal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia, signalling continued commitment to high-level political engagement.
