India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Visits Russia for Strategic Talks

Jaishankar's Official Visit to Russia

On Tuesday, S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, commenced a three-day trip to Russia. This visit follows closely on the heels of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's recent discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral relations in the fields of energy and defense. During his stay, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia. Additionally, he will co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation.

Jaishankar's trip occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions in India-U.S. relations, particularly concerning India's ongoing trade activities with Russia.

Official Invitation and Objectives

According to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar's visit is at the invitation of Denis Manturov, the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

"Dr. S. Jaishankar will undertake an official visit to Russia on 19-21 August 2025 to co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) scheduled for 20 August 2025," the statement noted.

During this visit, Jaishankar will engage with Lavrov to discuss the India-Russia relationship and exchange views on various regional and global matters. The primary goal of this visit is to reinforce the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia.

Current Tensions with the U.S.

This visit comes amid escalating tensions between India and the United States, particularly regarding India's acquisition of crude oil from Russia. Trade relations are under strain, as the U.S. delegation will not attend the upcoming sixth round of bilateral trade discussions set for August 25. This follows President Trump's imposition of an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, bringing the total tariff to 50%, alongside penalties for India's continued oil purchases from Russia. Earlier, on August 13, the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that Jaishankar and Lavrov would address significant bilateral matters and cooperation within international frameworks.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss insights from the recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump concerning the Ukraine situation. PM Modi reiterated India's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and expressed appreciation to Putin for sharing his thoughts on the discussions.