Jaishankar meets Putin in Moscow

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the two sides discussed economic ties, focussing on key areas such as trade, energy, fertilisers and nuclear cooperation.

Jaishankar landed in Moscow on Sunday for a two-day visit, ahead of Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit next month. Jaishankar said the two sides had held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission earlier in the day and had a “good report” on their economic cooperation.

Putin said Russia was increasing fertiliser supplies to India and was ready to continue doing so, according to the state-run TASS news agency.

“We are doing everything we can to fully meet the needs of Indian farmers and the agricultural sector, increasing these supplies and standing ready to continue doing so,” Putin was quoted as saying by TASS.

Putin also said trade between Russia and India had increased this year after declining slightly last year. “I am pleased to note that our trade has increased this year. It declined slightly last year, but it is growing this year,” Putin was quoted as saying by the news agency.

He stressed that Jaishankar’s visit underscored the level of relations Russia and India had built over decades and said cooperation was underway in virtually all areas, including at the level of the two governments, parliaments and businesses.

Jaishankar conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and a personal communication to Putin, and said the Indian leader looked forward to meeting him at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and then welcoming him to India for the BRICS Summit.

The 2026 SCO summit is being held from August 31 to September 1 in Kyrgyzstan, while BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12-13.