Indian national security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, the external affairs ministry said during the weekly press briefing. Doval is in St Petersburg to participate in the meeting of BRICS and BRICS Plus High-Level Security Officials which is being held from September 10-12.
The war in Ukraine and discussion on peace efforts are also expected during the visit.
“NSA Doval met with President Putin. He has other engagements in Russia,” Jaiswal said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month said that China, India and Brazil could act as mediators in potential peace talks over Ukraine.
He had said a preliminary agreement reached between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in the first weeks of the war at talks in Istanbul, which was never implemented, could serve as the basis for talks.
Sources earlier this week said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Putin over a phone call in August, both leaders had discussed Doval’s visit and participation in the discussions on bringing about lasting peace in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the external affairs ministry spokesperson Randir Jaiswal provided an update on the Indians who were lured into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine.
He said that 6 Indians caught in the conflict were released by Russia recently and that the total number of Indians released from Russia has reached 45. Jaiswal said that 50 more Indians will be released soon.
“Since the Prime Minister’s visit to Russia, 35 Indian nationals have been discharged, with 6 arriving the day before. Another 50 are yet to return. Prior to the visit, 10 had already been discharged,” Jaiswal said.
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