India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has touched down in Moscow for a five-day visit to Russia, during which he will engage in talks with his counterpart and discuss a range of bilateral and global issues. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi has emphasized the enduring and robust India-Russia partnership, which is characterized by the spirit of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Jaishankar's itinerary includes meetings with Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov to address economic matters, as well as discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on bilateral, multilateral, and international issues.

The visit also sees a focus on the strong people-to-people and cultural ties between the two countries, with engagements planned in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. The discussions are expected to touch on various aspects of the bilateral relations, encompassing trade, energy, defence, and connectivity. This visit comes at a time when India's import of Russian crude oil has significantly increased, despite mounting apprehension in Western countries over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

India has notably refrained from condemning the invasion, instead calling for a diplomatic and dialogic resolution to the crisis. Jaishankar's visit to Russia underscores the continued strength and resilience of the India-Russia partnership, and sets the stage for discussions on key strategic and economic matters between the two nations.