External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow during his official visit to Russia, highlighting the continued importance of the India-Russia strategic partnership. The meeting came as New Delhi and Moscow seek to expand cooperation across trade, energy, defence, technology and other strategic sectors.
Jaishankar conveyed a personal message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Putin during the meeting. The high-level engagement also provided an opportunity to review bilateral developments and discuss issues of mutual interest ahead of upcoming India-Russia leadership engagements.
The meeting took place during Jaishankar’s August 23–24 visit to Moscow, where he co-chaired the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation. The commission focuses on strengthening practical cooperation between the two countries across a wide range of sectors.
Economic cooperation was a major theme of the discussions. Jaishankar told Putin that economic cooperation between India and Russia has grown significantly, reflecting the depth of the relationship despite a changing international environment. Discussions included areas such as trade, energy, fertilisers and nuclear cooperation.
The engagement also carries strategic significance for India’s defence and security relationship with Russia. Defence cooperation has remained an important component of the bilateral partnership, alongside growing collaboration in energy, space, science and technology.
The Moscow meeting further underlines the importance both countries attach to maintaining regular high-level political dialogue. With India and Russia continuing to coordinate on bilateral and wider international issues, Jaishankar’s meeting with Putin signals New Delhi’s intent to sustain the long-standing strategic partnership while expanding cooperation into emerging areas.
The latest engagement is also significant in the broader context of upcoming India-Russia leadership-level interactions. The continued dialogue between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin is expected to provide further momentum to bilateral ties and cooperation in key strategic and economic sectors.