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).

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday (August 24, 2026) called on Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the two sides discussed bilateral ties and global developments.

Mr. Jaishankar, who arrived in Moscow on Sunday (August 23, 2026), is on a two-day visit to Russia.

It comes ahead of Mr. Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit on September 12-13.

The meeting assumes significance as India and Russia seek to deepen their economic engagement and expand cooperation in a range of areas.

Earlier in the day, the Foreign Minister held talks with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on ways to further expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

“The India-Russia partnership has consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability,” Mr. Jaishankar said at an event which he co-chaired with Mr. Manturov. “Even amidst a complex international landscape, our engagement has continued to deepen, reflecting the mutual interest and confidence that define our bilateral partnership.”

During his visit, Mr. Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to exchange views on regional and global issues, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Saturday (August 22, 2026).

The visit comes a month after Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Lavrov met in Manila on July 22 on the sidelines of ASEAN-related ministerial meetings, where they reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia. Mr. Jaishankar had also reiterated India’s “strong concern” regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region during his last meeting with Mr. Lavrov.