Jaishankar Engages Putin as India-Russia Summit Preparations Intensify

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 7, 2023, during a gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) delegations in Moscow. This meeting occurred shortly after Jaishankar’s discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, focusing on advancing bilateral relations as preparations for the upcoming Annual India-Russia Summit ramp up.

Jaishankar took to social media platform X to share his experience, stating, “Honoured to call on President Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised him of preparations underway for the upcoming Annual India-Russia Summit. Also discussed regional and global developments.” His remarks highlight the significance of the meeting in the context of strengthening ties between the two nations.

In parallel, Nikolai Patrushev, Putin’s top aide and Chairman of Russia’s Maritime Board, engaged with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi to explore key areas of bilateral cooperation. Their discussions included strengthening maritime collaboration, skill development, shipbuilding, and opportunities within the blue economy, as outlined in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Modi also expressed his anticipation of hosting Putin next month during the summit.

The Russian Embassy in India confirmed this engagement, noting that Patrushev and Modi discussed various issues of mutual interest, particularly in the maritime sector. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing interaction to bolster maritime capabilities.

Planning for the India-Russia Summit, scheduled for early December 2023, was a focal point of these diplomatic interactions. The summit coincides with Putin’s anticipated visit to India, marking his first visit since December 2021 when he attended the 21st edition of the meeting.

Jaishankar’s earlier discussions with Lavrov addressed both bilateral and international issues, reiterating the importance of the forthcoming summit, which also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that both foreign ministers are committed to building a just, multipolar world order and ensuring global security.

Additionally, PM Modi and President Putin spoke by phone last month to assess the progress of their bilateral agenda. Modi conveyed birthday wishes to Putin and reiterated India’s dedication to enhancing strategic cooperation. Their previous talks in September at the SCO Summit in Tianjin included discussions on regional matters, specifically the conflict in Ukraine, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties.

The upcoming summit and the ongoing discussions underscore the significance of India-Russia relations as both countries navigate complex global dynamics.