Moscow: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held talks with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Petrushev in Moscow on Wednesday on bilateral, regional and global issues. The statement issued by Russia said that bilateral cooperation in the field of security between the two sides was also discussed.

According to the statement, the two sides agreed to continue the dialogue between the Security Councils of the two countries with emphasis on the progressive development of the Russian and Indian Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Various aspects of overall bilateral strategic cooperation and the situation in Afghanistan were also discussed during the talks. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. India’s import of crude oil from Russia has also increased by more than 50 times since April and now accounts for 10 per cent of crude imported from abroad.

The visit comes at a time when India is in constant dialogue with Russia on a range of issues, including energy security, amid the Ukraine conflict. A US media report recently said that Russia has overtaken Saudi Arabia to become the second largest supplier of crude oil to India in June. India has asserted that its oil imports from Russia will be guided by its energy needs.

On Tuesday, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar termed the import of crude oil from Russia to India as the best deal.

Addressing the Indian community in Bangkok, Jaishankar discussed the rise in energy prices around the world due to the Russia-Ukraine war, saying, “We have been very open and honest about our interest. I have a country. With a per capita income of $2000, these are not people who can afford the high energy prices. It is my moral duty to ensure the best deal.”