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Opening remarks by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at the meeting with Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Lavrov

November 08, 2022

Thank You Excellency for receiving me and I look forward to the regular consultations that is part of our tradition. I believe this is the fifth time we are meeting this year. I think that speaks of our long term partnership and the importance that we attach to each other. And I am really glad to be here today in Moscow to carry forward this dialogue.

As you noted, there have been strong and continuing contacts between our Governments at various levels. Prime Minister Modi and President Putin met most recently in Samarkand in September. Our Defence Ministers spoke to each other. My colleague National Security Advisor Doval was in Moscow in August. Our Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers was in Russia in June. And at the official level, I think, our colleagues have been in regular touch. And this is all very much in the spirit of our relationship.

Our meeting today, is of course, devoted to assessing the state of our bilateral cooperation; exchanging perspectives on the international situation and what that means to our respective interests. Where bilateral ties are concerned, you would agree that it is our objective today to fashion a contemporary, balanced, mutually beneficial, sustainable and long-term engagement. Especially as our economic cooperation increases, this is a significant imperative. We would be discussing how our shared goals are best achieved.

Where the international situation is concerned, the last few years of the Covid pandemic, financial pressures and trade difficulties; these have taken a toll on the global economy. We are now seeing the consequences of the Ukraine conflict on top of that. There are also the more perennial issues of terrorism and climate change, both of which have a disruptive impact on progress and prosperity. Our talks will address the overall global situation as well as specific regional concerns.

India and Russia engage each other in an increasingly multi-polar and re-balanced world. We do so as two polities who have had an exceptionally steady and time-tested relationship. In that background, I look forward to our talks.

Thank You.

Moscow
November 8, 2022

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