External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held wide-ranging talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, with the two leaders discussing bilateral cooperation, global challenges and multilateral issues.

The current situation surrounding Ukraine, Iran, and Afghanistan was also discussed by the two foreign ministers, the state-run TASS news agency quoted the Russian foreign ministry as saying.

“A wide-ranging conversation this evening with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Discussed our bilateral cooperation, regional hotspots, global challenges and multilateral issues,” Mr. Jaishankar posted on X on Tuesday (August 25, 2026).

S. Jaishankar, who arrived in Moscow on Sunday (August 23), is on a two-day visit to Russia.

The visit comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit on September 12-13.

“Talks between the two top diplomats focused on the current issues on the international agenda. In particular, they coordinated approaches to the situation in Afghanistan, around Iran, and Ukraine. The sides reiterated mutual commitment to continuing close coordination within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, and the Group of Twenty,” the TASS report said.

“The ministers agreed to strengthen trust-based dialogue at all levels.” The meeting assumes significance as India and Russia seek to deepen their economic engagement and expand cooperation in a range of areas.

On Monday (August 24), Mr. Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the two sides discussed economic ties, focusing on key areas such as trade, energy, fertilisers and nuclear cooperation.

Mr. Jaishankar also co-chaired a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).

India and Russia are looking at firming up a number of agreements, initiatives and projects to add more substance to the ties during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi early next month.

As part of the preparations for the visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday (November 17, 2025) held extensive talks in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

“This particular occasion, for me, is all the more important as we prepare for President Putin’s visit to India for the 23rd annual summit,” Mr. Jaishankar said in his opening remarks at the meeting.

“A number of bilateral agreements, initiatives and projects are under discussion in various fields. We look forward to their finalization in the coming days,” he said.

“These will certainly add more substance and texture to our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” he added.

In his comments, Mr. Jaishankar also said that India supports recent efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“India supports recent efforts towards establishing peace. We hope that all parties approach that goal constructively,” he said.

“An early cessation of the conflict and the ensuring of an enduring peace is in the interest of the entire international community,” he noted.

Mr. Jaishankar said India-Russia ties have long been a factor of stability in international relations.

“Its growth and evolution is not only in our mutual interest but also in that of the world,” he said.

The two sides also exchanged views on global issues.

“We will also be exchanging views on the complex global situation with the openness that has always characterized our ties. This includes the Ukraine conflict, as also the Middle East and Afghanistan amongst others,” Mr. Jaishankar said in his remarks.

The External Affairs Minister is currently in Moscow to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Mr. Lavrov. His visit is also seen as part of preparations for Putin’s trip.

The Russian President is expected to visit India around December 5 to hold annual summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The summit is expected to produce significant outcomes to further solidify bilateral strategic ties.

At the India-Russia annual summit, Mr. Modi and Mr. Putin are expected to deliberate on further expanding the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between the two countries.

India and Russia have a mechanism under which India’s Prime Minister and the Russian President hold a summit meeting annually to review the entire gamut of ties.

So far, 22 annual summit meetings have taken place alternatively in India and Russia.

In July last year, PM Modi travelled to Moscow for the annual summit.

Russia has been a time-tested partner for India and the country has been a key pillar of New Delhi’s foreign policy.