‘Excellent discussions’, says MEA as S Jaishankar meets with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar meets with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. Twitter @ DrSJaishankar

Moscow: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov have discussed bilateral economic issues, cooperation in the nuclear and space sectors during their first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 outbreak, a senior official said Thursday. Indian.

Jaishankar and Lavrov met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the meeting of foreign ministers of the eight members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Russian capital.

Bilateral economic issues, cooperation in the development of Russia’s Far East region, cooperation in the nuclear and space sectors were also discussed, Foreign Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said in a reading of the meeting between Jaishankar. and Lavrov.

The two ministers followed up on the results of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vladivostok for the fifth edition of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) which was held in September last year, he said in the online briefing.
The two ministers agreed to work closely in the UN Security Council during India’s next term as a non-permanent member, Srivastava said in New Delhi during an online briefing.

In June, India was elected as a non-permanent member of the powerful UN Security Council for a two-year term, garnering 184 votes in the 193-member General Assembly. India will sit on the most powerful body of the UN for two years from January 1.

“It is a pleasure to meet Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, this time in person. Excellent conversations reflecting our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. We value our exchanges on the international situation,” Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday after his conversations with Lavrov.

For his part, Lavrov said: “It is a very good and almost forgotten feeling to meet in person. We appreciate this opportunity to discuss the prospects for developing our strategic partnership in all areas: bilateral relations and cooperation within the SCO, BRICS, the UN and through other international platforms. “

This was the first physical meeting between the two leaders after the COVID-19 situation and there was an excellent discussion on bilateral issues, regional developments and international issues of interest, Srivastava said.
The SCO meeting could not be held earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

India and Russia have a special and privileged strategic partnership and this year marks the 20th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

Last week, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Russian counterpart, General Sergey Shoigu, in Moscow, during which he welcomed the strong support given by Russia in response to the country’s defense and security needs.

Singh, who was on a three-day visit to Russia to attend a crucial SCO meeting, lobbied for Russia to expedite the supply of a number of weapons systems, ammunition and spare parts to India under contracts that are concluded earlier.