External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday he was “pleased to interact with prominent scholars and think tank representatives of Russia,” where he discussed India-Russia ties and broader global issues.

“Discussed India-Russia relations, contemporary world geopolitics and India's viewpoint,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The interaction came as Jaishankar embarked on a visit to Russia from Tuesday to Thursday, as per the Ministry of External Affairs.

During his visit, he will meet Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday and also co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation.

The MEA said the minister’s visit comes at the invitation of First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, the External Affairs Minister.

“Dr S Jaishankar, will undertake an official visit to Russia on 19-21 August 2025 to co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientif­ic, Technological and Cultural Cooperation scheduled for 20 August 2025.” 

The EAM will also address the India-Russia Busi­ness Forum meeting in Moscow.

As per the statement, during his visit, EAM will also meet the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and review the bilateral agenda and share perspective on regional and global issues The visit aims to strengthen the longstanding and time-tested India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

The development comes amid strain in India’s ties with the US over New Delhi’s procurement of crude oil from Russia.