National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov to discuss issues related to the India-Russia strategic partnership. Manturov, who is also Russia’s minister for trade and industry, is on a two-day visit to India to attend an inter-governmental meeting on trade, culture, and science and technology. The two sides plan to discuss a wide range of issues related to bilateral trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation. Manturov’s visit to New Delhi comes as India-Russia trade ties have increased, with India procuring an increasing volume of discounted crude oil from Russia. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and maintains that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.
It’s good to hear that the co-chairs of the intergovernmental Russia-India commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation met with business representatives from both countries. Such meetings can help foster better economic ties and promote trade and investment between the two nations. It would be interesting to know what specific issues were discussed during the meeting and whether any agreements or deals were reached.
Mr Manturov’s visit to New Delhi comes in the backdrop of renewed intensity in India-Russia trade ties, especially New Delhi’s procurement of increasing volume of discounted crude oil from that country.
India and Russia have historically had strong economic ties, particularly in the areas of defense, energy, and pharmaceuticals. In recent years, there has been an effort to expand the scope of the economic relationship beyond these traditional sectors. The discussions between the Indian and Russian officials on this visit are expected to cover a wide range of issues related to trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation. The increasing volume of discounted crude oil from Russia to India is one example of the two countries’ economic ties, and is likely to be discussed during these talks.
