Indian Ambassador, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Discuss Ukraine Situation in Moscow

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting included an “in-depth” exchange on Ukraine, during which Galuzin briefed the Indian diplomat on Moscow's assessment of the current situation. The ministry also reiterated Russia's stated position that a political and diplomatic settlement should address what it considers the underlying causes of the conflict.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow also criticised what it described as efforts by Kyiv and its European supporters to obstruct a diplomatic settlement and promote further military escalation, including in the Azov-Black Sea region. These characterisations reflect the Russian government's position on the conflict.

The discussions took place against the backdrop of continued engagement between New Delhi and Moscow on bilateral and international issues. India and Russia have described their relationship as a “special and privileged strategic partnership”, with cooperation spanning areas including defence, energy, trade and multilateral forums.

The meeting also comes shortly after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Jaishankar said the two ministers discussed several ongoing issues and reviewed bilateral relations as well as cooperation within BRICS.

India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving conflicts while maintaining relationships with both Russia and Western partners.

The Ukraine conflict has remained an important issue in India's diplomatic engagement with Russia and other major powers. New Delhi has maintained communication with Moscow while also calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

The latest meeting in Moscow therefore comes as India and Russia continue their regular diplomatic consultations amid evolving geopolitical developments in Europe and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had also recently reiterated the importance he places on the India-Russia relationship. In a birthday message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, Putin praised Modi's contribution to strengthening bilateral ties and described their recent discussions as substantive, frank and productive.

Putin's message followed his visit to New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12-13. During his September 11 meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the summit, Modi reiterated India's position that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to resolving ongoing conflicts.

The latest discussions between Vinay Kumar and Galuzin underline the continued diplomatic contact between India and Russia as both countries navigate a changing international environment and the continuing Ukraine conflict.