Jaishankar begins three-day Moscow visit to strengthen bilateral ties

EAM Dr S Jaishankar arrives in Moscow on an official visit to Russia. (Pic: Embassy of India in Russia/X)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Moscow, starting Tuesday, to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Russia.

During this visit, the Foreign Minister will co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation, scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Jaishankar's meeting occurs amid ongoing comments from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding India and Russia's partnership and oil trade. Trump has argued that India's oil imports from Russia are fueling the war in Ukraine and has imposed a 50% tariff on imports from India.

Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, are expected to discuss the latest initiatives by the Trump administration aimed at bringing peace to Ukraine.

During this visit, the external affairs minister will review the bilateral agenda and share perspectives on regional and global issues with the Russian foreign minister, according to a brief statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

"The visit aims to further strengthen the longstanding and time-tested India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic partnership," MEA said, as per PTI.