India, Russia FMs commend 'steadiest' relations in world

India-Russia ties among the 'steadiest of major relationships' in the world after the 2nd World War, say Jaishankar and Lavrov; 'solid package' of documents being prepared for Modi-Putin meet, says Russian FM

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that he and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held detailed discussions regarding upcoming events, including the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India later this year, as both sides plan to prepare a "solid package" of documents for the Putin-Narendra Modi summit.

While addressing a joint press conference with EAM Jaishankar in Moscow following their talks, Lavrov stated, "We discussed the upcoming events which are part of this dialogue including preparation for the visit of the President of the Russian Federation to India which will take place by the end of this year. We have plans to prepare to come up with a solid package of documents for this summit and undoubtedly we have a good tradition."

Highlighting the longstanding defence cooperation between both countries, Lavrov noted that the two nations hold joint exercises regularly and have solid military ties. "We have good traditions in the field of military cooperation. We hold joint exercises, and in the field of military and technical cooperation, which is also underpinned by our shared history," he stated.

The Russian Foreign Minister asserted that he and EAM Jaishankar also discussed the situation in Ukraine.