On November 17, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will conduct official discussions in Moscow, with a focus on deepening bilateral contacts and reviewing significant world concerns.
The planned meeting highlights the ongoing high-level political engagement between New Delhi and Moscow, despite altering global circumstances.
According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions will focus on upcoming political contacts, regional security problems, and significant international developments of mutual interest.
The ministry emphasized that the visit shows ongoing diplomatic cooperation and a shared commitment to maintaining strategic balance in international affairs.
The two ministers last met on September 27 on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. The conference included in-depth discussions about bilateral cooperation, the Ukraine issue, and Middle Eastern developments, notably the evolving situation in West Asia.
Jaishankar later stated that their conversation in New York was both fruitful and relevant, demonstrating the durability of India-Russia cooperation at a critical juncture in world politics.
The upcoming talks in Moscow are considered to be a major preparatory engagement ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December.
The high-level meeting is expected to discuss ongoing economic, defense, and energy cooperation priorities, such as cooperative ventures under the “Make in India” framework and long-term hydrocarbon supply assurances.
Dmitry Patrushev, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, visited New Delhi in September, laying the groundwork for the impending Putin-Modi summit. His conversations focused on strengthening partnership in agricultural, trade logistics, and payment channels despite current sanctions-related obstacles.
The Moscow meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov is expected to review progress achieved since then and synchronize ministerial agendas ahead of the summit.
Observers point out that the Jaishankar-Lavrov discussions take place at a time when India’s balanced diplomacy with major powers is under fresh scrutiny. While New Delhi continues to strengthen strategic ties with the West, its strong collaboration with Moscow remains focused on defense technology, multilateral coordination through BRICS and the SCO, and energy security.
By maintaining constant ministerial-level contact, both countries hope to strengthen their long-standing strategic partnership in the face of a dynamic global order typified by contestation, sanctions regimes, and shifting alliances.
The November 17 conversation in Moscow will thus play a critical role in determining the agenda for Putin’s December visit and reaffirming the long-term viability of India-Russia relations.
