India, Russia FMs hold talks on Afghanistan, strategic ties

The foreign ministers of India and Russia held talks in New Delhi to enhance bilateral cooperation in stabilizing Afghanistan and to set the agenda for the annual summit between the leaders of the two countries. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held wide-ranging talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in New Delhi on April 6 According to the Russian embassy in India, the two sides are developing an active political dialogue, trade and economic, as well as military and technical ties, scientific, cultural, and humanitarian contacts. “A special and privileged strategic partnership with India is one of Russia`s foreign policy priorities,” the statement read. The Russian minister’s visit would enable New Delhi to clear roadblocks on several important deals including the AK-203 rifle’s production and the S-400 Triumf air defense systems. The acquisition and indigenous production of about 200 Kamov Ka-226T utility helicopters and the long-pending P-75i submarine project figured in discussion, according to reliable sources. Russia has been a time-tested partner for India and a key pillar of New Delhi’s foreign policy. Both the countries have a mechanism to review ties annually under the India-Russia summit format. This year will also see the visit of Indian Army and Navy chiefs to Moscow.