EAM S. Jaishankar Concludes 3-Day Visit to Russia (August 19–21, 2025) to Strengthen Bilateral Ties in Energy, Defence, and Trade.
International
From 19 to 21 August 2025, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar conducted a high-level visit to Moscow by invitation of First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. He co-chaired the 26th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC-TEC), engaged with business and strategic leaders, and strengthened bilateral and regional dialogues.
- On 20 August, Dr. Jaishankar co-chaired the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) alongside Mr. Denis Manturov, focusing on supply chain, investment, and bilateral trade ambitions. He also addressed the India-Russia Business Forum to explore new areas of economic collaboration.
- Throughout the visit, EAM called for urgent measures to tackle the expanding trade deficit between India and Russia, which has surged to approximately USD 58.9 billion, largely due to increased energy imports. He advocated for balanced economic ties.
- Dr. Jaishankar held substantive meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and later with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. Discussions covered broad strategic topics including regional security, global geopolitical developments, and ongoing cooperation.
Main Point :- (i) During the visit, Russian diplomats reaffirmed their commitment to continue supplying oil to India. They stated a “special system” was in place to navigate sanctions, emphasizing the reliability of the India-Russia energy partnership amidst external pressures.
(ii) MEA sources noted that Dr. Jaishankar reviewed global issues such as the situations in Ukraine, West Asia, Afghanistan, and regional security alongside efforts to fortify the India-Russia “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
(iii) The visit coincided with a diplomatic clampdown by the U.S., which imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports in response to oil imports from Russia. Against this backdrop, India’s outreach to Moscow underlined its resolve to preserve geopolitical balance and secure its strategic autonomy.
About Russia
Capital: Moscow
Prime minister: Mikhail Mishustin
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