During his visit to Russia, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar actively signed three crucial documents. These encompassed agreements regarding the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plants, an MoU focusing on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement outlining these collaborative initiatives between India and Russia.

During his visit to Moscow, Jaishankar met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and engaged in discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, along with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov.

The Ministry of External Affairs reported the signing of three pivotal documents related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plants, an MoU focusing on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations during the visit.

The discussions encompassed a broad spectrum of bilateral cooperation, covering trade, economics, energy, defense, connectivity, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as well as regional cooperation between the two nations.

In addition to the official engagements, Jaishankar exchanged insights on global and regional developments, emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation, as stated in the released statement.

Furthermore, the visit included interactive sessions with Russian think tanks and academics, providing a platform for the exchange of perspectives on Indian foreign policy and the bilateral relations between Russia and India.

Highlighting the significant role of cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges in fostering goodwill and friendship, the External Affairs Minister's interaction with the Indian Diaspora in Moscow was a notable aspect of the visit, as indicated in the official release.

Following his engagements in Moscow, EAM Jaishankar proceeded to meet with Saint Petersburg's Governor, Alexander Beglov, exploring potential areas for collaboration in the economic and cultural domains.

During his visit to Saint Petersburg University, Jaishankar engaged in discussions with a diverse group of Indologists, fostering a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of developments in both countries. The exchange of views aimed at enhancing direct understanding between India and Russia was a key focus of these discussions.

During the visit to Russia, EAM Jaishankar seized the opportunity to assess the progress of existing bilateral cooperation and explore avenues to bolster the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership shared between India and Russia.

The enduring strength of India-Russia relations was underscored, with a solid foundation laid on strategic convergences, shared geopolitical interests, and mutually advantageous cooperation, contributing to the steady and robust nature of the diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Image source: Indian Express