Weeks ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India for the 23rd Annual India-Russia Summit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov held a meeting in Moscow to discuss details of the summit and also finalise a slew of pacts, including those on defence and mobility, that may be signed during the visit.

In his opening statement at the meeting, his sixth with Lavrov in a year amid the increasing pressure from Washington over India’s import of Russian oil, Jaishankar said they will exchange views on the complex global situation with the openness that has always characterised the bilateral ties. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO

“I welcome this opportunity to meet again and our regular interactions — you mentioned six this year so far — have

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