New Delhi, May 4 (FN Agency) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov held a comprehensive review of their bilateral, global and multilateral cooperation on the sidelines of the SCO meeting in Panaji on Thursday. In a tweet, the EAM said the two also discussed issues pertaining to G20 and BRICS. “Comprehensive review of our bilateral, global and multilateral cooperation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia.
“Appreciated Russia’s support for India’s SCO presidency. Also discussed issues pertaining to G20 and BRICS.” According to the Russian readout of the meeting, the two sides “confirmed” their intention to further strengthen coordination to develop common approaches at key international platforms, including the SCO, BRICS, UN and G20. “On May 4, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with his Indian counterpart Dr S. Jaishankar as part of his visit to Goa, India, to participate in the meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers. “A trust-based exchange of views on the main issues of bilateral relations, including the schedule of upcoming contacts, as well as topical issues on the global and regional agenda took place. “The ministers praised the dynamics of cooperation in key areas of the special and privileged strategic partnership between our countries,” it said. “The intention to further strengthen coordination to develop common approaches within the framework of interaction at the most important international platforms, including the SCO, BRICS, the UN and the G20 was confirmed.
“The Sides agreed to continue following the course of building a fair multipolar system of interstate relations,” the Russian statement said. Thursday’s meeting comes amid the backdrop of an attempted drone strike on the Kremlin last night, which Russia claims was intended to kill President Vladimir Putin. Russia has accused the US of being behind the drone attack. Significantly, there has been a spike in the India-Russia bilateral trade, which is breaking records. At the end of 2022, bilateral trade reached a record high of $35.3 billion, which is 2.5 times more than in 2021. There has also been an increase in talks on the de-dollarisation of global trade, with the issue forming a key subject among the BRICS nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Last month, EAM had held talks with visiting Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov, and both had co-chaired the India-Russia Business Dialogue.