Finance
By co-chairing the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) and hosting high-level meetings with the Russian leadership, External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar, concluded an important three-day visit to Russia and reaffirmed the depth and strength of the strategic partnership between India and Russia.
In addition to meeting with Russian academics and think tanks, EAM Jaishankar met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov from August 19 to 21.
During his meeting with President Putin, Dr. Jaishankar “conveyed personal greetings of the Prime Minister and discussed key issues of the bilateral agenda and contemporary global issues of mutual interest, including the developments related to Ukraine,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a Press release issued on Friday.
Earlier on August 20, the EAM co-chaired the 26th IRIGC-TEC session with Deputy PM Manturov, where both sides stressed the need to “address tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, remove bottlenecks in logistics, promote connectivity, effect payment mechanisms smoothly, and finalise the Programme of Economic Cooperation till 2030.”
It was emphasized that reaching the updated bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030 would need the early completion of the India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement and frequent interactions between Indian and Russian companies.
Additionally mentioned were energy cooperation and the movement of talented Indian workers, particularly in the fields of engineering, construction, and information technology. The Protocol for the 26th IRIGC-TEC was signed to end the session.
Both leaders later addressed the India-Russia Business Forum, which “saw participation from a wide range of stakeholders” and emphasised coordination between the Forum and Working Groups under the IRIGC.
On August 21, EAM Jaishankar held talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, undertaking a “comprehensive review of the entire gamut of India–Russia bilateral relations, including in trade, connectivity, Defence, military-technical cooperation, and the fast-tracking of new Indian Consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg.”
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to global multilateralism, including collaboration in G20, BRICS, and SCO, and jointly stressed the need for UN Security Council reforms.
“EAM underlined the imperative to expand and energize the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities,” the release said.
There was also discussion of regional topics such Afghanistan, West Asia, the Middle East, and Ukraine.
In addition to reiterating India’s strong position on communication and diplomacy, EAM Jaishankar expressed worry about Indians serving in the Russian Army and demanded that outstanding cases be resolved quickly.
Both countries “resolved to fight jointly against all forms and manifestations of terrorism” in terms of counterterrorism. Reiterating its “zero tolerance policy against terrorism and its sovereign right to defend Indian citizens against cross-border terrorism,” EAM demonstrated India’s firm attitude, according to MEA.
After talks on the Indian and Russian leadership’s preparations for the next Annual Summit, EAM Jaishankar invited Foreign Minister Lavrov to come to India at a time that would work for both parties.
Source: IANS
