Russian FM To Meet EAM Jaishankar Today, Rupee-Ruble Payment System For Bilateral Trade On Agenda

This is Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's first trip to India since Moscow launched a "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov with EAM Jaishankar

New Delhi: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in India on Thursday on a two-day official visit and will be meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi today. 

This is Lavrov's first trip to India since Moscow launched a "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Lavrov will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday. However, a media advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Lavrov's engagements in New Delhi has no mention of his meeting with Modi.

Lavrov's visit comes soon after China's foreign minister Wang Yi visit to India last week and ahead of the 2+2 dialogues set to be held between India and the US on April 11.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi posted a video of Lavrov's arrival with the caption: "Welcoming the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov as he arrives in New Delhi for an official visit."

Agenda of Jaishankar-Lavrov Meet

According to PTI sources, India's purchase of discounted Russian crude oil and putting in place a rupee-ruble payment system for bilateral trade are expected to be the key focus of his talks with Jaishankar.

India is also likely to press for a timely delivery of various military hardware as well as components of the S-400 missile systems by Russia.

The Russian Foreign Minister reached New Delhi after his two-day visit to China. On Wednesday, in China, Lavrov held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and both sides pledged to strengthen bilateral ties.

Lavrov informed the Chinese side of the Russia-Ukraine talks, saying Russia is committed to easing the tensions, continuing peace talks with Ukraine, and maintaining communication with the international community. Russian Foreign Minister participated in two multinational meetings on Afghanistan along with representatives from Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Lavrov also held meetings with representatives from China and Pakistan and attended a separate meeting of the "Extended Troika" with special Afghan envoys from China and the US.