India gives highest importance to its relations with Russia: Ministry of External Affairs

External Affairs Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow during her two days visit. Swaraj also attended the 23rd India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission on Technical and Economic Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), which was co-chaired by her and the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Yuri Borisov.

This was her 3rd visit to Russia in less than a year. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar wrote on Twitter, “3rd visit to Russia in 11 months! Maintaining the momentum of high-level exchanges, EAM @Sushmaswaraj arrives in Moscow for the 23rd Inter-Governmental Commission”.

In chain of tweets he wrote, “Always a pleasure to meet a good friend of India! EAM @SushmaSwaraj with Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov in her 1st engagement since arriving in Moscow. Both leaders had a good exchange of views on bilateral & regional issues. FM Lavrov hosted a dinner in honour of EAM”.

Raveesh Kumar said on twitter that “the meeting was to expand our relationship across all sectors and identify new opportunities”. During the visit, EAM Sushma Swaraj and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov chaired the India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation.

During the press conference following the Inter Governmental Commission EAM Sushma Swaraj said that “India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Russia”.

EAM @SushmaSwaraj at the Press Conference following the 23rd Inter Governmental Commission: India attaches the highest importance to
its relations with Russia. Full statement at https://t.co/iaJMZS68Fy pic.twitter.com/bd5coBnU9R

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 14, 2018

Swaraj said, “India and Russia enjoy a special and privileged strategic partnership. This partnership has strengthened over time and covers a vast agenda involving almost all sphere of human activity. India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Russia”.

Minister also mentioned about the breakthrough of partnership in energy relations between countries, she said, “Energy is the traditional area of cooperation. Earlier this year the first shipment of LNG from Russia arrived in India, in a new breakthrough of our energy partnership”.

Sushma Swaraj proposed to increase the trade between India and Russia from USD 50 billion by 2025, she said, “Two-way investments have already crossed the USD 30 billion target, which we had set for 2025. We have therefore proposed that we enhance this figure to USD 50 billion by 2025”.