India-Russia discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation across key sectors

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, with Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar and Joint Secretary (ERS) Mayank Singh also part of the delegation. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen India-Russia ties and expand cooperation across key sectors, with the meeting focused on bilateral trade, economic cooperation and preparations for upcoming high-level summits.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Jaishankar highlighted the strong and growing India-Russia partnership, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation, trade and energy. He conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and handed over a personal message from Modi. Dr Jaishankar said the two sides held a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission earlier in the day and described the outcome as positive, noting that ties between India and Russia have grown significantly across several sectors, including trade, energy, fertilizers and nuclear cooperation.

The External Affairs Minister also said Prime Minister Modi looks forward to meeting the Russian President at the SCO Summit in Bishkek and welcoming him to India for the BRICS Summit, adding that the two leaders are expected to hold their annual summit at a mutually convenient time. Dr Jaishankar said the developments reflect a strong picture of cooperation between India and Russia.

Speaking during the meeting, Russian President Putin offered to increase fertilizer supplies to India, saying Moscow is taking steps to support Indian farmers and the country’s agricultural sector. He also highlighted the growth in trade between Russia and India this year, saying the two countries are cooperating in practically all areas, reflecting the broad and expanding nature of their bilateral partnership.

Earlier in the day, the External Affairs Minister, along with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, co-chaired a meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation in Moscow. Speaking at the event, Dr Jaishankar said the India-Russia partnership has consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability, and that even amid a complex international landscape, bilateral engagement has continued to deepen, reflecting the mutual interests and confidence that underpin the partnership.

The Minister highlighted key areas that need to be addressed to achieve the 100-billion-dollar bilateral trade target by 2030, including progress on market access, the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, strengthening payment mechanisms, and greater business-to-business engagement. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to further expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation and reviewed the India-Russia partnership.

Dr Jaishankar reached Moscow on a two-day visit to Russia, during which he is also scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to exchange views on regional and global issues.