India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concluded a significant visit to Moscow this week, reaffirming the stability of the "special and privileged strategic partnership" between India and Russia. The visit, which occurred amid preparations for the forthcoming annual summit, underscored the enduring commitment of both nations to high-level strategic dialogue despite the complexity of the current global landscape.
Jaishankar was received by President Vladimir Putin, joining other heads of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) delegations for a key meeting in the Russian capital. This high-profile interaction followed detailed deliberations the previous day between Jaishankar and his counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The ministers’ extensive discussion focused on the bilateral agenda and crucial international developments, placing particular emphasis on finalising arrangements for the 23rd India- Russia Annual Summit scheduled for early December in New Delhi.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow issued a statement confirming that the two sides had stressed their mutual commitment to forging a more "just, multipolar world order" and ensuring collective global security. Both nations agreed to maintain close coordination across key multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, the SCO, BRICS, and the G20, illustrating their shared geopolitical perspective on international governance.
This crucial diplomatic activity was mirrored simultaneously in New Delhi, where Nikolai Patrushev, the top aide to President Putin and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their discussions addressed various facets of Russian-Indian cooperation, particularly in the maritime sector, where both parties expressed mutual interest in deepening interaction to enhance their respective maritime capabilities. Crucially, the Patrushev-Modi meeting also served to touch upon the advanced state of preparations for the eagerly awaited December Summit.
The sustained high frequency of political contact demonstrates the depth and resilience of the relationship. As both nations move forward with the December Summit, which marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership, the meetings in Moscow and New Delhi have successfully reinforced the strong foundation upon which India and Russia build their future cooperation.