On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed the development of a unique and privileged partnership between the two countries. The Indian Embassy in Moscow, in a tweet, said they discussed the wide-ranging Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia and looked for ways to strengthen it further.
He also said that they also spoke about the annual summit. He (Lavrov) told President Putin was looking forward to his visit to India at Prime Minister Modi’s invitation and that the visit will take place sometime on a date to be decided soon.
Furthermore, he added that a lot is happening on the relationship front. It is a significant relationship for both countries. And he thinks they will see some developments reinforce the close and strategic partnership, which they will enjoy.
How did the meeting with the deputy foreign minister go?
On Wednesday, Shringla also met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulo and discussed a plethora of issues with regards to Russian-Indian interaction, like the schedule of the upcoming political contacts. By expanding cooperation in traditional and high-tech spheres, both sides underlined their aspiration to enhance the trade and economic turnover.
They also took note of the similarity of approaches by both the countries, including Russia and India, to pressing global and regional problems along with stressed the intention of both the countries to continue coordination of efforts at international and regional platforms, like the UN, G20, BRICS, SCO, RIC, and EAEU.
Mr. Shringla said he has extensive exchanges with Russian leaders on bilateral issues besides matters of regional and international interest, such as arms control and counterterrorism, that will ensure the momentum of friendly relations between both the countries going, and it was told in a video statement at the end of his official tour to Moscow.
The relationship with Russia:
Shringla said in a meeting hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow that India would like to work more closely with Russia on taking forward the cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Without mentioning the Indo-Pacific, he said no discussion on the relationship between Indian and Russia can be complete.
He also added they would like to work more closely with Russia on taking forward the cooperation in the region, especially in the long run with our friends from the ASEAN, South East Asia, and under organizations like the ASEAN regional forum and the East Asia summit.
What did Shringla say?
Mr. Shringla was on an official trip to Moscow from February 17-18 for the India-Russia Foreign Office Consultations, and it was his first foreign trip this year. In a video that was tweeted by the Indian Embassy, he said that he had an exceptionally productive and fruitful stay in Moscow.
Mr. Shringla said he had delegation-level discussions with the Russian side led by Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov even before he even visited India. He said they have not only discussed bilateral issues extensively but also points of regional and international interest.
What can we look forward to?
He said they have a large number of organizations to which we both are members, so it gives them the chance to meet and greet, and it just highlights the fantastic, colossal connections that we have with the highest levels.
Also, he expressed that they are quite happy that President Putin will be visiting India at the invitation of the Indian Prime Minister at a time that is to be decided.
Wrap up:
The two countries also discussed economically, and business linkages and are already looking at operationalizing the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor. Besides that, they have worked closely in combating COVID-19, and the Russian vaccine sputnik V is in the third stage trials in India, which are expected to be done by at least mid-march. Above all, they look forward to collaborating with Russia to manufacture a large amount of Sputnik V vaccine.
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