In the first interaction between India and the Russian Federation, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will meet visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry O Rogozin on June 18.
India and Russia have a special and privileged strategic partnership, and Rogozin’s visit is in the context of high-level bilateral contacts and intense dialogues on priority areas of bilateral cooperation. At a time when the new government's policy is being framed, Rogozin's visit is seen as important because it shows Russia's interest in the new government.
Rogozin will be in India from June 18 to June 19. Sources in the government said that during the meeting, the two leaders are expected to review overall bilateral trade and economic cooperation, especially in the energy sector. They would also initiate preparations for the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin scheduled during the course of the year.
Rogozin is also scheduled to meet Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and is expected to call on Modi.
Image: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. Photograph: Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters
