India-Russia ties: EAM Jaishankar meets President Vladimir Putin

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday during his three day visit to Russia, ANI news agency reported. His visit comes in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India, along with an additional 25 per cent levy on its purchases of Russian oil, resulting in a total of 50 per cent duties. Trump had been putting pressure on India to stop buying oil from Russia, claiming that it fuelled the Ukraine war.Earlier on Thursday, Jaisankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed bilateral relations and prepare for the annual summit at the end of the year. "Today's meeting gives us an occasion to discuss our political relationship as well, but also to review our bilateral ties. So, I look forward to an exchange of views on politics, on trade, on economic investment, defence, science and technology, and of course, people-to-people exchanges," Jaishankar said in his opening remarks. "Our leaders met in July for the 22nd annual summit last year, and thereafter in Kazan. We now prepare for the annual summit at the end of the year, and they have always given us guidance to take forward our special and privileged strategic partnership," he added. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two sides will pay special attention to current and future avenues for promoting bilateral cooperation during the meeting. "The meeting's agenda will focus on facilitating the emergence of transport, logistics, banking and financial links and chains that would be immune to any adverse pressures from unfriendly countries, while also increasing the use of national currencies in their mutual settlements," the ministry said. It added that expanding cooperation in transport, energy, agriculture, science and technology will also be on the agenda.