Jaishankar Begins Two-Day Russia Visit to Co-Chair Trade Commission

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrives in Russia on Sunday for a two-day visit focused on trade, investment and strategic coordination.

He will co-chair the 27th session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. The meeting reviews progress across bilateral economic ties, science and technology, and cultural exchanges.

Jaishankar is also scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, their second meeting within a month. The two will exchange views on regional and global issues, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The visit comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned trip to India in September for the BRICS leaders’ summit. Economic cooperation remains a central pillar of the partnership even as both countries navigate separate pressures from Western sanctions regimes and shifting global supply chains.

The IRIGC-TEC is the principal institutional mechanism for advancing commercial and technical collaboration. Past sessions have addressed payment mechanisms, energy projects, defence industrial cooperation and new areas such as critical minerals and digital infrastructure.

India continues to import substantial volumes of Russian crude and fertilisers while expanding exports of pharmaceuticals, machinery and agricultural products. Officials on both sides have pointed to the need for more balanced trade and greater local-currency settlement arrangements.

Jaishankar last visited Moscow in November 2025 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The current trip reinforces the steady cadence of high-level engagement that has characterised the relationship since 2022.