Russia's Deputy PM Denis Manturov meets NSA Ajit Doval, discusses trade & commercial ties

Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Denis Manturov met with India's National Security visor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday, during latter's first visit to Moscow following Russia-Ukraine war. Manturov also attended a meeting as a chair of Russian part of Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission on Tre, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation. During meeting, two sides discussed expansion of tre and commercial ties as well as current concerns regarding collaboration in or areas of mutual interest, including peaceful use of space.

“I think it is important to use mechanism of Intergovernmental Commission to maximum degree in order to strengn bilateral collaboration across board,” Manturov stated, as per official release by Kremlin. Russian Deputy Prime Minister also extended his greetings to Indian partners on country's 75th anniversary of independence. Earlier on Wednesday, August 17, Doval also met his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev and held discussions over bilateral cooperation between two countries and also on issues of regional and global interest. 

NSA Doval also held meeting with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev

According to a statement from Russian embassy, discussions also covered several current issues and cooperation in security sector. "As part of ongoing strategic dialogue, NSA Shri Ajit Doval visited Moscow for talks with Secretary, Russian Security Council, HE Nikolai Patrushev. Apart from bilateral cooperation, y discussed issues of regional & international interest. NSA also met Russian Dy PM, HE Denis Manturov [sic]," Indian embassy in Russia wrote on Twitter. Notably, NSA Doval's visit comes as a part of ongoing strategic dialogues between India and Russia. 

India-Russia relations

It is pertinent to note that India has been committing to remain engaged with Russia despite immense pressure from western countries in wake of ongoing war in Ukraine. One of main tenets of Indian foreign policy is its bilateral relations with Russia. India views Russia as a dependable ally who has contributed much to its security and economic growth over years. Russia has long been India's partner in nuclear energy sector and regards it as a nation with cutting-edge nuclear technology and an exemplary non-proliferation record.