New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reached Russia Wednesday for his annual meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and will also call on Russian President Vladimir Putin who is scheduled to visit India later this year.
Doval’s visit was scheduled two weeks ago and it comes amid US President Donald Trump’s outrage at India over New Delhi buying Russian oil which Washington itself had earlier claimed was facilitated by them.
Asked about the issues Ajit Doval will talk about, sources said that everything related to defence, security and strategic affairs comes under his domain.
They said the delivery of the remaining two S-400 Triumf air defence systems that played an important role in the four-day conflict with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, possible additions and energy security will be discussed among others.
This is Ajit Doval’s first visit to Moscow since Operation Sindoor. However, he did attend the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s NSAs in Beijing in June and met with Shoigu’s deputy Aleksandr Venediktov, Russia’s Security Council Deputy Secretary.
The sources added that Ajit Doval will also meet with the Russian President Vladimir Putin during the visit. Two other meetings are also scheduled.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff is also in Russia and has met Putin already.
The US has been pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Late last month, Trump had shortened his 50-day ultimatum to Putin to agree to a ceasefire to 10-12 days. The deadline is set to expire this week.
There are some indications that Putin could agree for a temporary cessation of hostilities giving him a much needed breather to re-equip his soldiers and forces.
Asked if Ajit Doval will also be meeting with Witkoff, sources indicated that his visit is bilateral and focussed on issues between India and Russia, and hence any meeting with Witkoff is unlikely as things stand now.
The sources explained that while this is NSA Ajit Doval’s annual visit, a lot of work is being done to set the stage for Putin’s India visit later this year.
President Putin’s visit has been pending since the Ukraine conflict started in 2022 even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow last year.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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