What happened:
On November 17, 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow ahead of President Putin’s visit to New Delhi. The meeting focused on the 23rd Annual India-Russia Summit, bilateral cooperation, and key regional and global issues. Several agreements across sectors are expected to be finalised.
Why it matters to India:
Lavrov said India remains a top priority in Russia’s foreign policy. Discussions covered energy, agriculture, industry, military-technical cooperation, and maritime collaboration. Talks with Russian officials also explored joint shipbuilding projects and port infrastructure, expected to lower fleet modernization costs and strengthen India’s maritime capabilities.