National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held talks in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev, focusing on bilateral, regional and global issues.

According to Russian media reports, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in security and hot issues on the regional and international agenda.

“Broad issues of bilateral security cooperation were discussed, as well as hot issues on the regional and international agendas,” it said.

“The two sides agreed to continue the dialogue in the Security Councils of the two countries, emphasising the progressive development of Russia-India’s special and privileged strategic partnership,” the Russian statement said.
It is understood that all aspects of the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two sides and the situation in Afghanistan are being discussed. India has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has always believed that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

India has also increased its imports of discounted crude from Russia over the past few months, despite growing unease among some Western powers. India’s crude oil imports from Russia have grown more than 50-fold since April and now account for 10% of all imported crude oil.

Last month, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov said Russia appreciated India’s failure to support attempts to isolate it in multilateral forums and that bilateral trade between the two countries is rising. India has also maintained contact with several major powers, including Russia, on the situation in Afghanistan.

In June, India re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul by deploying a “technical team” at its embassy in the Afghan capital. India has withdrawn its officials from the embassy after the Taliban seized power last August over fears for their safety.