Jaishankar Meets Putin in Moscow Amid Global Power Shifts

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, currently on a three-day visit to Russia, met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday after holding extensive talks with his counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

During his discussions with Lavrov earlier in the day, Jaishankar described India-Russia relations as "the steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War." Lavrov, in turn, called the partnership a "special strategic relationship," underscoring the role of both nations' leadership in shaping its course.

The high-profile meeting with Putin took place against the backdrop of Washington's decision to impose steep 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. The Trump administration justified the move by pointing to India's continued purchase of Russian crude, arguing that such trade indirectly supports Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Jaishankar emphasized that his talks with Lavrov provided an opportunity to review not only political ties but also practical avenues of bilateral cooperation. His visit to Moscow followed a round of trade and economic discussions with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.

Meanwhile, Russia's Charge d'Affaires in India, Roman Babushkin, said on Wednesday that India-Russia ties remain on an "upward trajectory" despite Western sanctions and geopolitical headwinds. He stressed that energy and defence continue to be the cornerstones of the relationship, which is steadily expanding in the face of external challenges.