Jaishankar visit russia: India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (August 21). The meeting took place in the capital Moscow. Earlier, Jaishankar met his Russian External Affairs Sergei Lavrov on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and prepare for the annual summit to be held in the year of the year.
The meeting comes at a time when US President Donald Trump is constantly criticizing India for the purchase and sale of Russian oil. Along with this, 50 percent tariffs have been imposed on India. This is the reason why this meeting is very much discussed.
Foreign Minister reached Moscow on Tuesday before Putin’s visit to India to be held at the end of this year. Earlier this month, NSA Ajit Doval also met Putin in Moscow. During this time he announced that the Russian President would visit India this year.
After meeting the Russian Foreign Minister, Jaishankar said in his address, “Today’s meeting has given us an opportunity to not only discuss our political relations but also to review our bilateral relations. Therefore, I hope to exchange ideas on politics, business, economic investment, defense, science and technology and of course contact between people.”
He said, “Our leaders met for the 22nd annual summit in July last year. And then met in Kazan. Now we are preparing for the annual summit to be held at the end of the year. They have always guided us to carry forward our special and privileged strategic partnership.”
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two sides will pay special attention to the current and future opportunities to promote bilateral cooperation during the meeting. The ministry said, “The agenda of the meeting will be focused on transportation, equipment, banking and facilitating financial interactions and chains that will be free from any adverse pressure from Barry countries, as well as increase the use of national currencies in mutual agreements.”
It said that increasing cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, agriculture, science and technology will also be on the agenda. This visit of Jaishankar is taking place at a time when there has been tension in Indo-US relations after US President Donald Trump doubled the tariff on Indian goods to 50 percent. This tariff also includes an additional 25 percent fee for purchasing Russian crude oil.
In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow, “The purpose of this journey is to further strengthen the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership on the test of long-term and time.” Jaishankar and Lavarov are also expected to discuss the latest initiative of Trump administration to establish peace in Ukraine.