SRINAGAR: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday began a three-day official visit to Russia, where he will co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Jaishankar In a post on X said he was “pleased to interact with prominent scholars and think tank representatives of Russia,” adding that the discussions focused on India-Russia ties, global geopolitics, and India’s perspective on international issues.
Pleased to interact with prominent scholars and think tank representatives of Russia.
Discussed India-Russia relations, contemporary world geopolitics and India’s viewpoint.
🇮🇳 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/tzbdXKguAQ
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 20, 2025
He is also scheduled to address the India-Russia Business Forum in Moscow.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit, from August 19–21, is taking place at the invitation of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and aims to further strengthen the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between the two countries.
The trip comes at a sensitive juncture, as India’s relations with the United States face fresh strain over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude. Washington recently imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods raising the overall levy to 50 per cent and cancelled the upcoming round of bilateral trade talks scheduled for August 25.
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier confirmed that Jaishankar and Lavrov will discuss the full bilateral agenda along with cooperation in multilateral forums. On Monday, President Vladimir Putin briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his recent meeting in Alaska with US President Donald Trump regarding the Ukraine conflict. Modi reiterated India’s call for a peaceful resolution and thanked Putin for sharing his perspective.
