Jaishankar arrives in Russia to finalise Modi's visit

MoscowExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived here on Tuesday on a two-day visit to Russia during which he will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and finalise the preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming visit to the country.

This is Jaishankar's first visit to Moscow since assuming office in May. His visit comes days ahead of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok from September 4 to 6 where Prime Minister Modi will be the chief guest.

Jaishankar and Lavrov will take stock of preparations for Prime Minister Modi's visit and the 20th Annual Bilateral Summit between the two countries. They will also discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.

He will also meet Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov and participate in Valdai Discussion Club interaction on the theme of India's perspective of the Indo-Pacific.

The minister arrived in Moscow from Budapest where he held a "very positive and productive" meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto and both sides vowed to work closely to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Days ahead of Jaishankar's visit, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval travelled to Moscow and held talks with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev during which both sides underlined support for principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference of third parties.