EAM Jaishankar, Russian counterpart Lavrov to hold talks in Moscow on Aug 21
In a post on X, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "FM Sergei Lavrov's schedule: On August 21, FM Sergei Lavrov will hold talks with FM of India Dr S Jaishankar in Moscow. The Ministers will discuss key issues on our bilateral agenda, as well as key aspects of cooperation within international frameworks."
The meeting follows National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval's recent visit to Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Russia's Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu.
The upcoming meeting between EAM Jaishankar and Lavrov comes after their talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting on July 15.
The two ministers had also met on the sidelines of BRICS Summit last month and discussed bilateral cooperation, West Asia, BRICS and SCO.
Earlier this year, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had visited Moscow to hold bilateral Foreign Office Consultations with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.
During the consultations on March 7, the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties and also shared perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both sides took stock of progress on implementation of decisions taken at the 22nd Annual Summit held in Moscow in July 2024, the meeting in Kazan on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin, the 25th session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation held in New Delhi in November 2024, and other high level engagements.
In November 2024, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and EAM Jaishankar had co-chaired the 25th meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation in New Delhi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to visit India following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is being planned as part of the ongoing commitment to annual meetings between the two leaders.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
27 minutes ago
- First Post
Brics rising: The unintended consequences of Trump's tariff strategy
In standing firm, India not only asserts its sovereignty but also signals a larger shift in the global order, where nations of the Global South are increasingly unwilling to be coerced into choosing sides in conflicts not of their making Donald Trump's return to the White House carried with it the grand promise of ending the war in Ukraine within days, a claim that was as theatrical as it was unrealistic. Seven months on, that promise has collided with the reality of international politics and the stubbornness of Vladimir Putin. Trump's failure to extract even a temporary pause in hostilities from Moscow is not merely a diplomatic shortcoming; it reflects his inability to distinguish between showmanship and statecraft. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Red-carpet receptions and personal overtures cannot substitute for hard-nosed negotiation and long-term strategy. The very idea that Putin—who has staked both his domestic legitimacy and Russia's global posture on the war—would simply concede ground because of Trump's famed 'art of the deal' was a misreading of history and power. The war in Ukraine is not a real estate transaction that can be clinched over a handshake; it is a geopolitical struggle with deep historical roots, and treating it as otherwise was bound to end in failure. This failure also highlights a consistent pattern in Trump's political praxis: the reduction of complex global problems into spectacles of personality and improvisation. His handling of trade wars, marked by a cavalcade of tariffs against adversaries and allies alike, displays the same misplaced faith in unilateral gestures. Tariffs were announced and withdrawn like a magician pulling rabbits from a hat, with little thought to the long-term economic consequences for America or its partners. In the same vein, his diplomacy with Putin rests on the assumption that intimidation mixed with personal charm can resolve conflicts that are, in fact, structural and historical. Such an approach not only undermines America's credibility but also erodes the very fabric of international cooperation. Trump's method of reducing diplomacy to impulsive theatrics has made foreign policy a stage, but one where the curtain rises to reveal more chaos than resolution. The ongoing strain in India-US trade relations only reinforces the hollowness of Trump's transactional approach to diplomacy. His willingness to dangle punitive tariffs on Indian exports—while casually offering to hold them back in exchange for India's supposed cessation of Russian oil imports—reveals not a strategy but a bargaining tactic better suited for a casino floor than a negotiation between sovereign nations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The irony, of course, is striking: while lecturing India on its trade with Moscow, Trump himself could not justify America's continued import of Russian uranium and fertilizers, dismissing the question with a characteristic shrug of ignorance. This double standard not only undermines Washington's moral high ground but also alienates a critical partner in Asia. For India, whose agricultural and dairy sectors remain the backbone of rural livelihoods, acquiescing to Washington's demands would not be ideal. Thus, what emerges is not the 'art of the deal' but the art of bluster—policies that neither secure American interests nor respect those of its allies. It is evident that Trump's displeasure with India stems from its outright refusal to endorse his unsolicited claim of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, a rejection that undercut his self-fashioned image as a global dealmaker. In retaliation, the use of steep tariffs and selective economic pressures on New Delhi appears less like coherent policy and more like bullying tactics, designed to remind India of America's leverage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is quite telling that both economists and seasoned strategists in the United States have spoken with one voice in denouncing Trump's tariff gambit against India. Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned economist and professor at Columbia University, sharply criticised Trump's tariff decisions, calling them a mere pressure tactic against New Delhi and warning that such steps risk undoing years of progress in India–US relations. He went further to describe the duties as 'bizarre' and 'self-destructive,' highlighting how they damage America's own foreign policy interests. John Bolton, a veteran foreign policy hawk who served as National Security Adviser during Trump's first administration, also criticised Trump, arguing that penalising India for its oil trade with Russia—while sparing China for doing the same—was a serious strategic miscalculation. He warned that this selective targeting could push India closer toward the Beijing–Moscow axis, calling it an 'unforced error' that undermines America's broader geopolitical goals. Bolton's warning likely carries a deeper strategic charge: by punishing India over Russian oil while overlooking China's larger energy ties with Moscow, Washington signals that its ire is selective—and New Delhi reads selectivity as unreliability, not leverage. India's purchases of discounted Russian crude have reached or neared record levels and are central to its inflation management and refining exports; coercive tariffs would mean hardening India's resolve to keep that lifeline and to hedge more visibly with Moscow. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In that light, Bolton's 'unforced error' critique is less a quip than a diagnosis: tariff theatrics that cancel talks and demand farm-sector concessions don't align with America's Indo-Pacific aims and could push India to double down on strategic autonomy in ways that tilt the balance toward a de facto Moscow–Beijing–Delhi accommodation. What emerges from these developments is an intriguing paradox: Trump, in his quest to arm-twist partners through tariffs and unilateral dictates, may be inadvertently contributing to the consolidation of a stronger Brics. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently declared in Brasília, 'I will not call Trump because he does not want to talk. I will call Xi Jinping, I will call Prime Minister Modi. I just won't call Putin, because Putin can't travel right now.' This statement, coming in the wake of Washington's sweeping 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian imports, reflects not only Lula's refusal to engage with Trump but also his intent to reaffirm Brazil's standing by strengthening ties with leaders of the Global South. Lula's words carry weight because they signal a deliberate pivot: choosing to prioritise dialogue with Beijing, New Delhi, and other power axes, while sidelining Washington. When placed against the backdrop of rising tariff disputes and diplomatic rifts, the remark suggests that Trump's approach may inadvertently be encouraging deeper solidarity within Brics, giving it not just economic heft but also fresh political significance as an alternative pole in global affairs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Chinese foreign ministry recently remarked that India and China, as 'major developing countries and important members of the Global South,' should embrace a 'cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant as partners helping each other succeed,' according to Global Times. In this context, and amid India's escalating tariff tensions with the United States, reports suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may soon announce the resumption of direct flights between India and China, with a formal deal expected during his visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit at the end of August—his first trip to China in seven years. This combination of rhetorical warmth and concrete steps toward engagement reveals Beijing's desire to recalibrate its strained ties with New Delhi. For China, fostering a working relationship with India not only bolsters its standing in the Global South but also adds strategic depth to Brics at a time when US trade policies are alienating both nations. For India, the outreach presents both an opportunity and a dilemma: while closer economic ties with Beijing could strengthen its leverage against Washington, they also risk complicating its long-standing concerns over security and territorial disputes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD South Africa, the only African member of Brics and a nation that counts the United States as its second-largest trading partner, has now been slapped with steep 30 per cent tariffs by the Trump administration—the highest imposed on any African country. This move not only strains Pretoria's economic ties with Washington but also risks accelerating its pivot toward the Brics framework, where it already finds solidarity with other economies similarly targeted by US trade measures. Instead of pulling South Africa closer, Trump's tariff offensive may well push it deeper into the Brics fold, reinforcing the bloc's cohesion against perceived US unilateralism. The warmth between Russia and India scarcely needs restating, given the long history of strategic trust between the two nations. Even amidst the current tariff struggle with the United States, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's recent visit to Moscow underscored the resilience of the partnership, while National Security Adviser Ajit Doval hinted that President Vladimir Putin may soon travel to India. These developments reaffirm that New Delhi and Moscow continue to nurture their ties, regardless of shifting pressures from Washington. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The bottom line is clear: Washington must rethink its approach. First, tariffs are no panacea for America's economic woes. As Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz has pointed out, Trump's tariff proposals are a deeply flawed attempt to revive US manufacturing, hurting partners abroad while doing little to address the structural issues at home. Second, it need not play the role of an unsolicited arbitrator in regional disputes and then bristle when its efforts go unacknowledged. And third and finally, the era of bullying the Global South into compliance through the threat of tariffs is rapidly fading—India, like any sovereign nation, will pursue its own interests, and America's conflict with Russia cannot simply be imposed on others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, underlined this very resolve, declaring that India was prepared to bear the cost of US tariffs rather than compromise its autonomy. His message was clear: India's economic and strategic decisions will not be dictated by external pressures, no matter how formidable, but will be guided by its own vision of growth, security, and global engagement. In standing firm, India not only asserts its sovereignty but also signals a larger shift in the global order, where nations of the Global South are increasingly unwilling to be coerced into choosing sides in conflicts not of their making. The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
Why Vladimir Putin Was Forced To Pay Rs 2.2 Crore In Cash For Jet Fuel In Alaska
Russian President Vladimir Putin paid $250,000 in cash to refuel aircraft in Alaska due to sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin had to pay nearly $250,000 (about Rs 2.2 crore) in cash to refuel three aircraft during his visit to Alaska last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed. Vladimir Putin arrived in Alaska on August 15 for a high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump, where he was greeted with a red carpet welcome. But according to Marco Rubio, sanctions against Moscow meant his delegation was unable to use international banking systems. 'When the Russians landed in Alaska, they were there to refuel. They had to offer to pay in cash to refuel their aeroplanes because they can't use our banking system," Marco Rubio told NBC. Vladimir Putin's team remained in Alaska for about five hours before leaving shortly after a joint press conference. Donald Trump later confirmed that 'no deal" had been reached, though reports suggest Moscow put an offer on the table that Washington encouraged Kyiv to consider. Wider Diplomacy To Stop Ukraine War On Monday, Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders in Washington to discuss long-term security assurances for Kyiv. Zelenskyy said he was prepared for direct talks with Vladimir Putin but rejected any settlement that involved surrendering Ukrainian territory. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gold rate prediction: Gold price nears three-week lows. What to expect this week?
Gold ticked up on Wednesday but hovered near three-week lows, as investors looked towards the minutes of the Federal Reserve's July meeting and the Jackson Hole symposium of central bankers this week for cues on further rate cuts. Spot gold was up 0.4 per cent at $3,329.89 per ounce, after reaching its lowest level since August 1. U.S. gold futures for December delivery rose 0.4 per cent to $3,372.80. The U.S. dollar index was steady after climbing to a more than one-week high earlier in the session, making gold more expensive for holders of other currencies. Gold Price Prediction Spot gold is likely to adhere to its sideways range until the Fed can resume its rate-cutting cycle, while the dollar's month-to-date resilience is also making it harder for it to embark higher, said Han Tan, chief market analyst at investment trading platform Minutes of the Fed's July meeting, due later in the day, were anticipated to offer further insights into the central bank's economic outlook. Live Events "Markets will be looking out for further clues about the dissenting voices from the last FOMC meeting. Gold could even see a slight lift prior to Jackson Hole, should the FOMC minutes show that the dissenting voices at the previous Fed policy meeting were louder than envisioned," Tan said. Fed chair Jerome Powell is due to speak at the central bank's annual research conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Friday. Gold typically performs well when interest rates are low and during times of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. On the international front, U.S. President Donald Trump ruled out deploying ground troops to Ukraine on Tuesday but suggested air support could be part of a deal to end Russia's war in the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the White House talks were a "major step forward" towards ending the conflict and setting up a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump. Elsewhere, spot silver fell 0.6 per cent to $37.13 per ounce, platinum gained 1.1 per cent to $1,319.81 and palladium was down 0.4 per cent at $1,111.17. FAQs Q1. What are current gold prices? A1. Spot gold was up 0.4 per cent at $3,329.89 per ounce, after reaching its lowest level since August 1. U.S. gold futures for December delivery rose 0.4 per cent to $3,372.80. Q2. What are current silver prices? A2. Spot silver fell 0.6 per cent to $37.13 per ounce, platinum gained 1.1 per cent to $1,319.81 and palladium was down 0.4 per cent at $1,111.17.
