S Jaishankar in Moscow for crucial India-Russia trade talks amid US tensions

Moscow: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) in Moscow on Wednesday. This important session forms a central part of Jaishankar’s three-day official visit to Russia from August 19 to 21 and is aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

During his visit, Jaishankar will address the India-Russia Business Forum, focusing on new avenues for trade and investment cooperation. He is visiting Moscow at the invitation of Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

Highlighting the importance of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “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 visit aims to further strengthen the longstanding and time-tested India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” the statement added.

Jaishankar’s schedule also includes bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This meeting continues a series of frequent high-level interactions between India and Russia, with earlier meetings taking place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting on July 15 and the recent BRICS Summit.

Earlier in the year, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Moscow for Foreign Office Consultations with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, further emphasising the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

Jaishankar’s visit comes ahead of a possible high-level interaction, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With inputs from IANS