External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, 24 August, conveying personal greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The high-level meeting underscored the sustained momentum in India-Russia bilateral ties, with Putin expressing hope to meet Modi 'very soon' on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

Putin's Message for Modi

According to a statement released by the Kremlin, Putin said Jaishankar's visit itself reflects the depth of the relationship the two countries have built over decades. He credited Modi personally for the uptick in bilateral trade. 'I'm pleased to note that our trade turnover has increased this year. While it declined slightly last year, it's growing this year, and this is partly, and perhaps primarily, thanks to Prime Minister [Narendra Modi], who is devoting his personal attention to developing Russian-Indian relations,' Putin said.

He added: 'I hope to see him soon, as we planned, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, very soon. Our schedule is such that we will probably be able to meet again this year.'

Key Areas of Cooperation Discussed

Putin highlighted several pillars of the bilateral agenda, including energy, fertiliser supplies, nuclear energy, and high-tech sector cooperation. 'We are doing everything to address this issue for Indian farmers, for agriculture; we are increasing these supplies and are ready to do so further,' he said, referring to fertiliser exports. All these areas, he noted, are 'on the agenda, and progress is progressing quite steadily.'

Jaishankar, in turn, informed Putin that India had 'a very good report' to share on economic cooperation, nuclear energy, and fertilisers following the morning session of the intergovernmental commission. 'I'd like to note that our economic cooperation has grown significantly,' he said.

SCO Summit and BRICS on the Table

Jaishankar conveyed that PM Modi is looking forward to meeting Putin at the upcoming SCO Summit. He also expressed hope that Putin would travel to India to attend the BRICS Summit. Both summits represent key multilateral forums where the two leaders could advance the bilateral agenda beyond the confines of bilateral diplomacy.

Jaishankar described the India-Russia partnership as 'strong, robust' — language that signals continuity in ties even as India navigates its relationships with Western nations and maintains its longstanding policy of strategic autonomy.

Meeting Format and Officials Present

The meeting was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, and India's Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar, among other officials. Manturov heads the Russian side of the intergovernmental commission and had co-chaired its 27th Session with Jaishankar earlier on the same day.

Jaishankar's 23–24 August visit to Moscow was undertaken at the invitation of Manturov to co-chair the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). With both leaders now signalling a face-to-face meeting at the SCO, India-Russia engagement looks set to intensify through the remainder of the year.