Apart from hosting the annual foreign office consultations with his Russian counterpart, Vikram Misri is also likely to meet members of the highest Russian leadership during his one-day visit. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri will be visiting Russia on March 7 for the two nations’ annual foreign office consultations to discuss the overall relationship, sources familiar with the issue stated on Tuesday.
Apart from hosting the foreign office consultations with his Russian counterpart, Misri is also scheduled to meet members of the top leadership of Russia on his day-long visit, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The visit will also provide an opportunity for the two sides to share their perceptions on important regional and international issues, they said.
Diversifying trade and investment, particularly increasing Indian exports to make the two-way trade more equitable, and ensuring Russian energy supplies to India in case of further Western sanctions are likely to be among the topics that will come up in the foreign secretary’s talks in Russia, the individuals said.
Two-way commerce is now valued at around $66 billion, although it is tilted in Russia’s favour due to India’s huge crude oil purchases since 2022. India has asked for increased access to Russian markets to balance the trade. The two countries last year agreed to a target of $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
European nations have extended sanctions to hinder oil exports by Russia, one of India’s leading two energy suppliers. The latest sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet have affected Russia’s capacity to deliver oil globally.
Foreign Secretary’s visit has been viewed as a chance for Russia to report to the Indian side on current attempts to cease the war in Ukraine, following US President Donald Trump’s initiative towards President Vladimir Putin and distancing from the habitual US stance of offering security assurance to Europe.
