NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar concluded his three-day official visit to Russia with a high-level meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.

“Honored to call on President Putin at the Kremlin today. Conveyed the warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi,” Jaishankar shared in a post on X following the meeting.

He also briefed the Russian President on his discussions with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “The preparations for the Annual Leaders’ Summit are well underway. Appreciate his sharing perspectives on the global situation and recent developments on Ukraine,” Jaishankar added.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit aimed to “further strengthen the longstanding and time-tested India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”

During his stay, Jaishankar co-chaired the 26th session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), held talks with senior Russian leaders, and addressed the India-Russia Business Forum.

At the IRIGC-TEC meeting on August 20, co-chaired with Deputy Prime Minister Manturov, both sides discussed a range of economic and trade issues. The agenda included addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers, improving logistics, enhancing connectivity, facilitating payment mechanisms, and finalising the Programme of Economic Cooperation till 2030.

The MEA noted that early finalisation of the India–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement and continued engagement between Indian and Russian businesses were viewed as essential to achieving the revised bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030. Discussions also covered energy cooperation and the mobility of Indian professionals in sectors such as IT, construction, and engineering. The session concluded with the signing of the Protocol for the 26th IRIGC-TEC.

Later, both leaders addressed the India-Russia Business Forum, which brought together a broad range of stakeholders and underscored the importance of better coordination between the Forum and various Working Groups under the IRIGC framework.

On August 21, EAM Jaishankar held extensive talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to the MEA, the two ministers undertook a comprehensive review of the full spectrum of bilateral ties, including trade, connectivity, defence, military-technical cooperation, and the establishment of new Indian Consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg.

The discussions also reaffirmed India and Russia’s shared commitment to global multilateralism, with particular emphasis on cooperation within platforms such as the G20, BRICS, and SCO. Both countries reiterated the need for reforms in the UN Security Council, with EAM Jaishankar stressing the importance of expanding and energising the body to reflect contemporary global realities.

Regional and international issues, including the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, West Asia, and Afghanistan, were also on the agenda. EAM Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent position advocating dialogue and diplomacy. He also raised concerns regarding Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army and called for expedited resolution of pending cases.

On counter-terrorism, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to jointly combat all forms of terrorism. The Indian side reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and its sovereign right to protect its citizens from cross-border threats.

The visit concluded with discussions on preparations for the upcoming Annual Summit between Indian and Russian leaders.