External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Russia this week. According to the report, this tour is likely to start on July 8. During the visit, he will hold bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The visit will strengthen each other as valued partners with a friendship built on deep mutual trust. India and Russia are scheduled to hold their annual summit later this year. In April this year, the Russian Foreign Minister had visited India.
During this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had detailed discussions with his Russian counterpart at Hyderabad House on the preparations for the India-Russia annual summit including various dimensions of bilateral relations. Apart from this, both leaders had issued a joint statement saying that the two countries will further enhance cooperation towards each other in many areas. After the India tour, Russian FM also went to Pakistan. He was the first foreign minister to reach Pakistan after 2012.
Apart from traditional areas of cooperation such as weapons, hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, and diamonds, new sectors of economic engagement are also emerging — mining, agro-industrial, and high technology, including robotics, nanotech, and biotech. India's footprint in the Russian Far East and in the Arctic is set to expand. Connectivity projects may get a boost too.
Moreover, India and Russia are working to close the gap on Afghanistan and are calling for the early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Additionally, Russia supports India's candidacy for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council and of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
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