S. Jaishankar to Visit Russia on August 23-24, India-Russia Commission Meeting Ahead of Modi-Putin Talks

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Russia on August 23 and 24 to co-chair the 27th meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Saturday.

Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation alongside Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov during the high-level meeting, which will focus on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in key areas including trade, economy, science, technology, and culture.

The India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission plays an important role in implementing decisions taken at the leadership level and creating a roadmap for expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

Jaishankar’s Visit Ahead of Modi-Putin Meeting

The visit is being seen as a significant step ahead of the proposed bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Several major announcements and agreements are expected to be discussed during the upcoming talks.

India and Russia share a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" that has continued to expand despite changing global geopolitical dynamics. The relationship now extends beyond traditional defense cooperation to areas such as energy, trade, technology, and investment.

Russia, which historically accounted for a major share of India's defense imports, has also become one of India's key energy partners in recent years. Both nations continue to collaborate through international platforms including BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the United Nations.

Defense, Energy and Trade to Dominate Discussions

Defense cooperation is expected to remain a major focus area during the Modi-Putin discussions. Russia has expressed willingness to provide advanced fighter aircraft to India and explore opportunities for joint production and manufacturing.

Energy cooperation is another key area likely to feature in talks, with discussions expected on India's possible acquisition of additional oil and gas assets in Russia.

Despite international pressure and objections from some Western countries, India and Russia have set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion annually. The leadership of both countries is expected to review progress towards achieving this goal.

The discussions may also cover expanding bilateral trade, improving payment mechanisms through alternatives such as the Rupee-Ruble arrangement, enhancing connectivity projects including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and promoting investment opportunities.

Regional and global issues, including the Ukraine conflict, West Asia situation, Afghanistan developments, and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, are also expected to be part of the broader discussions between the two countries.