Stories
EAM Jaishankar Chairs Key Meeting on India-Russia Ties, Discusses Trade, Ukraine Conflict
- •External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired a consultative committee meeting on India-Russia relations, highlighting multifaceted engagement in trade, investments, energy, connectivity, culture, and P2P domains.
- •Discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade, including increased Indian exports to Russia in seven sectors: auto, pharma, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals, and textiles, and explored an India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement.
- •Key connectivity projects like the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor, INSTC, and the Northern Sea Route were discussed, alongside India's priority to maintain multiple sources of supply for its consumers.
- •Russia agreed to take 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, primarily in construction and logistics; India is actively working for the early discharge of Indian nationals reportedly in the Russian Army, with 140 already discharged.
- •India's efforts to promote peace in the Ukraine conflict were discussed, with PM Modi's call for an end to the "endless war" and President Putin's appreciation of India's ideas for mutually acceptable solutions.
Key Questions Answered
Both nations share an ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced manner, with a focus on increasing Indian exports to Russia across seven key areas: auto, pharmaceuticals, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals, and textiles. Additionally, discussions explored the India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement alongside connectivity routes like the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor, INSTC, and the Northern Sea Route.
Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 skilled Indian workers this year, particularly in construction and logistics. Meanwhile, the Indian government has engaged with high-level Russian authorities for the early discharge of Indian nationals, resulting in about 140 individuals being discharged so far, while authorities remain in touch regarding 55 others still reportedly in the Russian Army.
India has actively supported dialogue and diplomacy to end the Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed bringing an end to the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has traveled to Ukraine and met with the foreign ministers of both Ukraine and Russia.