External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his official engagements in Moscow, underscored that the continued expansion of India-Russia relations carries significance well beyond bilateral interests. Describing the decades-old partnership as “a factor of stability in international relations,” he said the strengthening of ties “benefits not only our two nations but also the wider world.”
Jaishankar’s remarks came after comprehensive discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as both sides prepared for the upcoming annual bilateral summit. The talks reviewed cooperation across energy, defence, trade, space, nuclear power, and connectivity, with particular emphasis on long-term projects shaping India’s strategic landscape. The External Affairs Minister highlighted that several new agreements are under consideration, reflecting the evolving nature of the partnership.
His comments carry particular weight amid heightened geopolitical tensions, especially Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and deepening Russia-China strategic alignment. By framing India-Russia ties as a stabilising element, New Delhi appears to reiterate its commitment to strategic autonomy engaging major global powers while safeguarding independent decision-making.
India has significantly increased purchases of Russian crude oil, expanded defence-technical cooperation, and accelerated work on connectivity corridors, including the International North-South Transport Corridor. Jaishankar maintained that such cooperation supports global energy security and contributes to a more balanced international order.
As both nations prepare for leadership-level talks, the reaffirmation of mutual trust signals a continuity in India’s long-standing diplomatic approach toward Russia, even as global alignments undergo rapid change.
