External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow during his three-day visit to Russia. Dr Jaishankar also held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday and reviewed the bilateral agenda while exchanging views on regional and global developments.

India and Russia vowed to expand their bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner. Addressing a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart after talks, Dr Jaishankar underlined the need to swiftly address non-tariff barriers and regulatory impediments. He said, relations between India and Russia have been among the steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War. Dr Jaishankar said, Geopolitical convergence, leadership contacts and popular sentiment remain its key drivers. During their talks, Dr Jaishankar and Mr Lavrov also deliberated on ways to combat terrorism.

Dr Jaishankar said sustaining energy cooperation through trade and investments is also important. In the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Russia to the reform of global governance. They also deliberated on the situation in Ukraine, West Asia and Afghanistan. Dr Jaishankar also co-chaired the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) and addressed the India-Russia Business Forum.