How is NSA Ajit Doval Strengthening Strategic Partnership with Russia?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ajit Doval met with Sergei Shoigu in Moscow.
- Focus on enhancing the Russia-India strategic partnership.
- Importance of collaborative efforts before the bilateral summit.
- Discussions on regional security and defense cooperation.
- Meeting characterized as constructive.
Moscow, Aug 8 (NationPress) The National Security Advisor of India, Ajit Doval, engaged in discussions with Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, in Moscow to explore avenues for enhancing the special and privileged strategic partnership between their nations.
Both parties emphasized the necessity of collaborative initiatives in anticipation of the upcoming bilateral summit, while sharing insights on Russia-India cooperation within multilateral frameworks and addressing significant global security challenges.
“On August 7, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Sergey Shoigu held discussions with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval. The two sides deliberated on how to fortify the Russia-India special and privileged strategic partnership and highlighted the importance of joint preparations for the bilateral summit slated for later this year. They also reviewed cooperation between Russia and India in multilateral contexts and exchanged perspectives on pressing international security matters,” the Russian Embassy in India stated on Telegram.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Doval at the Kremlin, marking a pivotal moment in the evolving strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.
This meeting, attended by senior Russian officials, including Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, precedes Putin’s anticipated visit to India later this month for the annual bilateral summit.
From the Indian delegation, Ambassador Vinay Kumar participated in the high-level discussions, centering on regional security, defense collaborations, and preparations for the imminent leadership-level meeting.
The Kremlin characterized the dialogue as “constructive,” highlighting the ongoing communication between the two nations despite the shifting dynamics of the global landscape.
“We have now established very good relations, which we value greatly - a strategic partnership between our countries,” NSA Doval stated during his conversation with Shoigu, as reported by Russia’s Interfax news agency.
“We were pleased to learn about President Putin’s visit to our country, set for late August.” Presidential aide Ushakov confirmed that the visit is being organized according to the tradition of annual summits.
“Our leaders have an agreement to meet once a year. This time, it is our turn,” he remarked, referencing the rotational format of the India-Russia leadership dialogue.