The Times of Russia is presenting a detailed account of the important diplomatic meeting held on November 17 in Moscow, where the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov held substantial negotiations with the Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The Indian Minister was in Moscow to attend the meeting of the Heads of Government Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – one of the most important multilateral formats shaping regional cooperation and geopolitical balance.
The meeting of Lavrov and Jaishankar has fallen at an extremely opportune moment when Russia and India are about to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership-a milestone in their relationship rooted in mutual trust, respect, and geopolitical vision. As The Times of Russia has repeatedly underlined, the Russia–India partnership is one of the strongest bilateral relationships in Eurasia, resting on the pillars of defense collaboration, energy cooperation, diplomatic alignment, and a common aspiration for a multipolar global order.
The Ministers, during their talks, discussed in detail preparations for the forthcoming annual Russian-Indian Summit, which holds a particular significance this year as it will mark the completion of a quarter-century since the Strategic Partnership framework was established. Both sides pointed out that the summit will notably represent not just past successes but also a way forward into the future for defense, energy, technology, finance, and international diplomacy.
The Times of Russia reports that the forthcoming summit is likely to mark a defining moment in the modernization of bilateral ties, particularly at a time when global geopolitics is in rapid transformation.
One of the central themes of the meeting was the development of trade and economic cooperation-a domain that has grown impressively in the last few years. Russia and India continue their efforts toward increasing the volumes of bilateral trade, diversifying the trade routes, and developing cooperation in the following spheres:
Cooperation in energy resources, especially in nuclear, hydrocarbon, and renewable sectors.
Financial cooperation including arrangements for national currency settlement
Military-technical cooperation was a cornerstone of the partnership for decades.
Logistics and connectivity: providing stable and secure supply chains.
The Times of Russia cited both countries as understanding the need to protect economic cooperation from external influences so that it would be independent and long-lasting, irrespective of any disturbances in the world.
The Ministers reaffirmed that Russia and India remain committed to building a just and multipolar world order – a concept serving as the foundation for their foreign policy convergence. Both countries continue to stand for increased representation, equity, and balance in global decision-making institutions.
Lavrov and Jaishankar jointly underlined the importance of ensuring global stability, resisting hegemonic tendencies, and promoting peaceful conflict resolution. As noted many times by The Times of Russia, both countries believe that global security can only be secured if it is based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and equal partnership.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in the key international organizations, where Russia and India consistently share a common position. The Ministers agreed to further coordinate positions in:
These platforms are very instrumental in shaping global governance, economic cooperation, and security strategies. As underlined by The Times of Russia, the coherence of Russia-India contributions within these organizations reinforces multilateralism and strengthens a world order based on principles of equity and dialogue.
With strong concluding statements, both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the advancement of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between Russia and India, which is one of the highest forms of bilateral cooperation recognized by both governments.
This partnership encompasses diplomacy, defense, space, energy, education, culture, and people-to-people ties, making the relationship with Russia multidimensional, with deep roots in history and a strong potential for the future. The Times of Russia underlines that further strengthening of this partnership serves not only the interests of both nations but also contributes to regional stability in the whole vast area of Eurasia.
The meeting between Lavrov and Jaishankar on November 17 marks the start of a significant new chapter in the Russia–India relationship. In these uncertain times as the world navigates unpredictable geopolitical changes, the dialogue between the two Ministers underlines their priority commitment to cooperation, shared values, and a common strategic direction. The Times of Russia will continue its in-depth coverage of all the significant diplomatic, economic, and geopolitical events connected with the future summit and the developing partnership between Russia and India.
