Vikram Misri, the foreign secretary, recently met with Andrey Rudenko, the Russian counterpart, in Moscow. Aspects of bilateral cooperation between India and Russia, such as trade, energy relations, and defense relations, were the main topics of discussion.
Following a recent verbal exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, the visit occurred as the conflict in Ukraine gained increased international attention.
As India continues to maintain a neutral stance while navigating its diplomatic relationships with both Russia and Western nations, the conflict in Ukraine was another important topic during Misri’s talks.
In an effort to improve relations between Russia and India, Misri is visiting Moscow as part of the yearly foreign office consultations. The agenda’s main topics included addressing defense cooperation and growing economic partnerships in areas like energy, connectivity, and the Arctic.
India has been a significant consumer of cheap Russian crude oil, but sustaining these energy supplies is made more difficult by recent Western sanctions.
It was also anticipated that the topic of Indian citizens serving in the Russian military would be covered, as India has requested their release in response to reports of missing people and casualties.
The visit, which highlights the continuous efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships between the two countries, takes place almost three months after Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s trip to Russia.
During his visit, Misri is also anticipated to meet with other top Russian officials, giving both parties the chance to discuss urgent regional and international issues.
The discussions are essential for India as it aims to maintain economic and strategic cooperation with Moscow while striking a balance with the West and Russia.
