NSA Ajit Doval tours Russia's National Space Centre, speaks live with ISS crew
Synopsis
India's NSA Ajit Doval didn't just attend a security forum in Moscow — he also spoke live with cosmonauts on the ISS and toured Russia's next-generation space infrastructure. The visit blends hard security diplomacy with a pointed signal on India-Russia space ties, even as Doval delivered a pointed message at the forum: there can be no double standards on terrorism.
Key Takeaways
NSA Ajit Doval visited Russia's National Space Centre in Moscow on 29 May 2025 , alongside Russian First Deputy PM Denis Manturov .
Doval held a live conversation with ISS cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov , Andrey Fedyaev , and Sergey Mikayev , who described their 27 May spacewalk .
The two sides held dedicated talks on India-Russia space cooperation during the visit.
Doval addressed the first International Security Forum hosted by Sergei Shoigu , calling out double standards in the global fight against terrorism.
Doval and Shoigu reviewed defence, energy, and economic ties and discussed the upcoming BRICS NSA meeting in New Delhi .
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday, 29 May visited Russia's National Space Centre in Moscow, accompanied by Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. During the visit, Doval held a live conversation with the Russian crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a rare diplomatic engagement at the intersection of security and space cooperation.
Inside the Space Centre
The space centre, named after Vera Tereshkova — the world's first female cosmonaut — hosted Doval and Manturov for a tour of its technology exhibits. According to Roscosmos, the Russian state space agency, the two officials examined models of the world's most powerful four-chamber liquid rocket engine and the base module of the planned Russian Orbital Station (ROS).
They subsequently visited the Roscosmos Joint Industry Information Centre (JIIC), a facility created to monitor and analyse large volumes of data from the rocket and space industry. 'It was created to monitor and analyze large volumes of data related to the rocket and space industry and will also house the management of the future ROS,' Roscosmos stated.
Live Link with ISS Cosmonauts
Doval and Manturov then connected live with the Russian ISS crew — cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Andrey Fedyaev, and Sergey Mikayev. The crew described their spacewalk conducted on 27 May. Videos of Doval examining the official car of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin — the first human to journey into outer space in 1961 — circulated widely on social media.
India-Russia Space Cooperation Discussed
On the sidelines of the space centre visit, Doval and Manturov held a dedicated meeting on India-Russia space cooperation. The talks signal deepening bilateral engagement in the space sector, even as both nations navigate a complex global security environment.
Security Forum and Bilateral Meetings
Doval's Moscow visit is centred on the two-day first International Security Forum and the 14th Meeting of High Representatives for Security Matters, hosted by Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu. Addressing the gathering of national security advisors and security chiefs on Thursday, Doval asserted that there can be no double standards in countering terrorism. 'Responsible nations have to evaluate their choices and decide whether they support sponsors of terrorism or counter them with decisive action,' he said, as quoted by the Indian Embassy in Russia in a post on X.
Doval also called for safeguarding the free movement of trade through international waterways, specifically naming the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, amid ongoing tensions in West Asia. He met Shoigu separately on Thursday, during which the two sides reviewed cooperation in defence, security, energy, and economic ties and exchanged views on the upcoming BRICS NSA meeting in New Delhi. Further bilateral meetings were scheduled for Friday.
Point of View
At a time when Western pressure on New Delhi to distance itself from Moscow remains intense. The live ISS interaction and the ROS module briefing suggest Russia is actively showcasing next-generation cooperation to keep India invested. Meanwhile, Doval's terrorism remarks at the forum — carefully worded but unmistakably directed — reflect India's consistent post-Pahalgam posture: name the standard, let the audience draw the conclusion about Pakistan. The BRICS NSA meeting preview adds a multilateral layer, signalling that New Delhi intends to use that platform to press its security agenda on home turf.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did NSA Ajit Doval visit Moscow in May 2025?
Doval travelled to Moscow to attend the first International Security Forum and the 14th Meeting of High Representatives for Security Matters, hosted by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. On the sidelines, he also visited Russia's National Space Centre and held bilateral meetings on defence, energy, and space cooperation.
What happened during Doval's visit to Russia's National Space Centre?
Doval and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov toured the space technology exhibit, viewed models of Russia's most powerful liquid rocket engine and the base module of the future Russian Orbital Station, and visited the Roscosmos Joint Industry Information Centre. They also held a live conversation with three cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station.
Which ISS cosmonauts did Doval speak with?
Doval spoke live with Russian cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Andrey Fedyaev, and Sergey Mikayev, who described their spacewalk conducted on 27 May 2025.
What did Doval say at the International Security Forum?
Doval stated that there can be no double standards in the fight against terrorism and that responsible nations must choose between supporting sponsors of terrorism or countering them with decisive action. He also called for protecting the free movement of trade through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
What was discussed in Doval's meeting with Sergei Shoigu?
Doval and Shoigu reviewed ongoing India-Russia cooperation in defence, security, energy, and economic ties. The two sides also exchanged views on the upcoming BRICS NSA meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi.
