India and Russia Strengthen Ties with Boost in Trade and Energy Cooperation

India and Russia are set to deepen their bilateral trade, focusing on a balanced and sustainable approach, as pledged by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday. Notably, emphasis was placed on addressing non-tariff barriers swiftly to facilitate increased Indian exports to Russia.

This development comes amid India's growing differences with the US over trade and tariffs, particularly after President Donald Trump's recent policies. Jaishankar's talks with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov underscored the importance of geo-political convergence and popular sentiment in maintaining steady relations between the two nations.

The discussions covered terrorism, energy cooperation, and efforts to enhance Indian scrutiny in sectors such as agriculture and textiles to correct trade imbalances. Additionally, dialogues around global governance reform and the ongoing preparation for the annual India-Russia summit were highlighted.

(With inputs from agencies.)