Jaishankar to visit Russia Aug 23-24 to co-chair IRIGC-TEC session
Synopsis
EAM Jaishankar heads to Moscow for the 27th IRIGC-TEC session — a wide-ranging bilateral commission covering trade, energy, science and culture — just days after a Russia-India military cooperation working group met in New Delhi and President Putin publicly praised India's global standing. The back-to-back engagements reveal the full breadth of a partnership that is quietly deepening on multiple tracks simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar will visit Russia from 23 to 24 August at the invitation of First Deputy PM Denis Manturov .
He will co-chair the 27th Session of IRIGC-TEC , covering trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.
Jaishankar will also hold talks with Russian FM Sergei Lavrov on regional and global issues.
A Russia-India military cooperation working group met in New Delhi on 20-21 August , outlining plans through 2027 .
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently praised India's 'remarkable success' in his Independence Day message to President Murmu and PM Modi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will undertake a two-day official visit to Russia from 23 to 24 August to co-chair the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Saturday. The visit, at the invitation of Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, signals continued momentum in bilateral engagement between the two countries.
Key Agenda Items
Beyond the commission session, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to exchange views on regional and global developments. The two ministers last met in July in Manila, where they discussed bilateral ties, the Ukraine conflict, and the situation in the Gulf. At the time, Jaishankar also reiterated India's concern over the safety of Indian seafarers in the region.
Military Cooperation in the Background
The diplomatic visit follows a meeting of the Working Group on Planning of the Russia-India Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation, held in New Delhi on 20-21 August. According to the Russian Embassy in India, both sides reviewed the joint activity plan for the current year, outlined measures for 2027, and discussed ways to expand interaction between their armed forces.
Putin's Recent Signal on Ties
The visit also comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin praised India's 'remarkable success' in economic, social, scientific and technological domains in his Independence Day greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Putin described India as 'rightfully enjoying high esteem' on the world stage and highlighted the 'fruitful cooperation' between the two nations.
What to Watch
The IRIGC-TEC platform covers trade, energy, science, technology, and cultural cooperation — areas where India-Russia ties have deepened considerably amid shifting global alignments. Outcomes from the 27th session are expected to shape the bilateral economic roadmap for the near term, particularly in energy and connectivity corridors. Jaishankar's simultaneous engagement with Lavrov on geopolitical issues adds a strategic dimension to what is formally a trade-and-cooperation forum.
Point of View
Military and diplomatic tracks simultaneously. What mainstream coverage tends to flatten is the sequencing: a military cooperation working group in New Delhi on 20-21 August, followed immediately by a ministerial visit on 23-24 August, suggests coordinated signalling rather than coincidence. India's ability to sustain deep Russia ties while managing its Western partnerships remains one of its most consequential diplomatic balancing acts — and each IRIGC-TEC session quietly reinforces that architecture.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is EAM Jaishankar visiting Russia in August 2025?
Jaishankar is visiting Russia from 23 to 24 August to co-chair the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). He will also meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral and global issues.
What is the IRIGC-TEC?
The IRIGC-TEC is a standing bilateral commission between India and Russia that oversees cooperation in trade, economics, science, technology and culture. Its sessions are co-chaired by senior ministers from both sides and set the agenda for near-term bilateral economic engagement.
What did the Russia-India military working group discuss in New Delhi?
The Working Group on Planning of the Russia-India Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation met in New Delhi on 20-21 August. According to the Russian Embassy, both sides reviewed the current year's joint activity plan, outlined measures for 2027, and discussed expanding interaction between their armed forces.
When did Jaishankar last meet FM Lavrov before this visit?
Jaishankar met Lavrov in Manila in July, where they discussed bilateral ties, the Ukraine conflict, and the Gulf situation. Jaishankar also reiterated India's concern about the safety of Indian seafarers in the region during that meeting.
What was President Putin's recent message on India-Russia ties?
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his Independence Day greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praised India's 'remarkable success' in economic, social, scientific and technological areas and highlighted the 'fruitful cooperation' between the two countries.
