India, Russia Discuss Ties Before Putin Visit

• Patrushev meets Doval, Dasgupta, discussing maritime security, ahead of Putin's visit.
• Jaishankar in Moscow for SCO, meets Lavrov, boosting bilateral cooperation ties.
• Putin's India visit expected around Dec 5; mobility agreement likely for finalization.

In a flurry of diplomatic activity, India and Russia are solidifying their relationship. Key meetings, including those with Nikolay Patrushev and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, precede the arrival of President Vladimir Putin. These talks suggest significant developments are on the horizon.

High-Level Meetings Begin

The lead-up to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India has seen significant diplomatic activity. Nikolay Patrushev, a close aide to President Putin and the Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, arrived in India and engaged in discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, India’s National Maritime Security Coordinator. The Russian Embassy confirmed Patrushev's arrival via a post on X, highlighting the scope of discussions that included maritime and security-related matters. These high-level discussions set the stage for further talks and potential agreements during the forthcoming summit between the leaders of both nations.

Jaishankar in Moscow

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar also traveled to Moscow to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting. During his visit, Jaishankar held talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, focusing on bilateral cooperation. The Indian embassy in Russia confirmed Jaishankar's arrival, posting on X that he was greeted by Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Alexey Pavlovsky from Russia’s Foreign Ministry. These diplomatic engagements highlight the ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between India and Russia across various fronts, paving the way for the expected agreements during President Putin’s upcoming visit.

Putin's Anticipated Visit

President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in India around December 5 for his annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit is considered crucial, with the anticipation of significant agreements aimed at furthering the strategic partnership between the two countries. Reports indicate that the finalization of a major mobility agreement is a key focus during this visit. The frequent high-level engagements and the anticipation surrounding Putin’s visit underscore the commitment of both India and Russia to strengthen their bilateral relations, particularly in areas of mutual strategic interest and collaboration.