"A wide-ranging conversation" with Russian FM Lavrov: EAM Jaishankar

In a post on X on Monday (local time), he said, "A wide-ranging conversation this evening with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia."

https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2091972954121003507

"Discussed our bilateral cooperation, regional hotspots, global challenges and multilateral issues," he added.

The conversation comes as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said he handed over a personal message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the Kremlin as part of his two-day official visit to the country.

In a post on X, the EAM said that he briefed the Russian leader on the outcome of the 27th India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) meeting and discussed regional and global issues.

"Pleased to call on President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Handed over a personal message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Briefed him on the deliberation held under the 27th IRIGC-TEC, reviewing our cooperation across a wide range of domains. Value his guidance in that regard. Also discussed regional and global issues of importance," the post read.

During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed Prime Minister Modi's "good wishes" to Putin and briefed him on the discussions held under the commission.

"Let me begin by conveying the good wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has given me a personal communication which I would like to hand over to you," Jaishankar said in his remarks at the meeting.

He highlighted the progress in bilateral economic cooperation, including trade, energy, fertilisers and nuclear cooperation.

"We had a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission. I think overall we have a good report to give to you. I think our economic cooperation, trade, energy, fertilisers, nuclear, and other dimensions as well - I'd be pleased to speak about them in detail. Overall, I think our economic cooperation has grown very significantly," he said.

Jaishankar also conveyed that Prime Minister Modi looks forward to meeting Putin at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and welcoming him to India for the BRICS Summit.

"Prime Minister Modi looks forward to meeting you at the SCO Summit, then welcoming you to India for the BRICS Summit, and, in due course, as per your mutual convenience, having the annual summit, so we have a very strong picture of cooperation to present," he said.

He concluded his remarks by thanking Putin for receiving him.

"And once again, I thank you for receiving me today," Jaishankar said.

Putin, while welcoming Jaishankar, said the visit underscored the longstanding relationship between Russia and India.

He also asked Jaishankar to convey his best wishes to Prime Minister Modi and expressed hope of meeting him at the SCO Summit.

"And at the beginning of our conversation, I would like to ask you to convey my best wishes to Modi. I hope to see him soon, as we planned, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation very soon. Our schedule is such that we will probably be able to meet again this year," Putin said.

The Russian President also highlighted discussions held between Jaishankar and First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov under the intergovernmental commission, noting that energy, fertiliser supplies, nuclear energy and cooperation in high-technology sectors were among the issues on the agenda.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar co-chaired the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) with Manturov.

Jaishankar was on a two-day official visit to Russia from August 23 to 24 at the invitation of Manturov. His discussions with Russian officials have focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues. (ANI)