India, Russia discuss annual summit on UN sidelines

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov engaged in extensive talks during a visit to New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's High-Level Week. The discussions encompassed a range of topics, including the upcoming annual summit scheduled for later this year in Russia, as well as pressing global issues such as the Ukraine crisis and developments in West Asia.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry's briefing, the two ministers held a private meeting on September 25 to deliberate on Russian-Indian cooperation, the timeline of future bilateral engagements, and ongoing regional and international matters.

The roadmap for the annual summit remains under consideration, with plans tentatively set for the end of the year. Additionally, the BRICS Parliamentary forum is anticipated to convene in India in October. In the aftermath of their meeting, Jaishankar expressed his satisfaction with the discussions on X, stating, "A good meeting with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia today #UNGA81. Exchanged views on a number of ongoing issues. Also took stock of our bilateral and BRICS cooperation."

The significance of the meeting was underscored by the looming threat of US-imposed 100% tariffs on Indian oil imports due to Russia's oil purchases. Jaishankar also had a separate conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during the high-level week. During their talks, they addressed the latest developments concerning the Gulf conflict and outlined a plan for continued coordination at various international platforms, including the UN, G20, and BRICS.

The Hormuz Strait situation and potential mechanisms for its reopening were also discussed, with Iran proposing a seven-day plan to restore the strait and establish a longer ceasefire. However, the United States reportedly rejected the proposal. Furthermore, Oman and Iran have been engaged in discussions regarding the potential implementation of a fee-based system and a two-lane approach for the Strait of Hormuz, with Oman opposing the idea of compulsory fees for transit.