India, Russia Push to Seal Key Agreements Ahead of Putin’s Visit: Jaishankar

New Delhi: India and Russia are preparing to give a new direction to their relations in the coming weeks. Both countries are busy finalizing several important agreements and projects ahead of the Putin-Modi summit next month. In Moscow on Monday, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar indicated this, where he had a long conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Preparations for Putin's visit intensified

Jaishankar said that this meeting with Lavrov is also special because President Vladimir Putin is going to visit India in the first week of December. He said teams from both the countries are working on several agreements—some related to the energy sector, some to defense cooperation, and some to strengthening economic partnership. It is expected that these will be approved soon.

India-Russia relations stable even under pressure

This conversation is taking place at a time when America is pressuring India to reduce the purchase of Russian oil and arms. Despite this, Jaishankar clearly said that India-Russia relations have been based on trust for decades and are not only in the interest of both countries but are also important for global stability.

India also said on Monday that government companies have completed a one-year contract to import 2.2 MTPA of LPG from the US, but this is not considered to be a sign of reducing energy cooperation with Russia.

Open discussion on Ukraine war and West Asia

The talks between the two ministers also included the Ukraine war, rising tensions in the Middle East, and the situation in Afghanistan. Jaishankar said India supports any effort that moves towards peace. He reiterated that an early end to the war and a durable peace is in the interest of the entire world.

What did Lavrov say?

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov described India as Russia's “highest priority partner.” He said that despite the sanctions of Western countries, Russia and India are taking such measures so that trade and economic activities can continue without interruption.

Before Putin's visit to India, preparations for both countries have intensified. Many more high-level meetings are expected in the coming days so that the December summit brings concrete outcomes.