National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held discussions with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, in St. Petersburg, amid renewed calls for India’s involvement in mediating the Ukraine conflict. The talks were held on the sidelines of the BRICS national security advisors’ meeting and covered a broad range of bilateral and security issues, according to officials.
The meeting comes as India, which has maintained a neutral stance in the Ukraine war, faces growing international expectations to mediate. Doval’s visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in August, where Modi expressed India’s readiness to play an “active role” in peace efforts.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin recently indicated that India, along with Brazil and China, could act as intermediaries in efforts to end the conflict, further boosting India’s global diplomatic profile. “We are in contact with leaders of these nations, and they are keen to help,” Putin said during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
Doval and Shoigu’s talks focused on progress in India-Russia bilateral cooperation, particularly in defense and counter-terrorism. Both sides emphasized the importance of their long-standing defense relationship, which has seen India continue to procure Russian military equipment despite Western sanctions on Moscow.
India imports the bulk of its defense equipment from Russia and has maintained defense ties despite pressures linked to the Ukraine war. Doval’s visit highlights India’s balancing act as it seeks to maintain its strategic autonomy while navigating complex global geopolitics.
The talks further solidify India’s position as a key player in international security dialogues, with both countries discussing global threats and potential collaborations within multilateral frameworks such as BRICS.
