Moscow: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday pointed out the “consequences of the Ukraine conflict” during bilateral talks with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

Jaishankar, in his opening remarks, said, “The last few years of the Covid pandemic, financial pressures and trade difficulties; these have taken a toll on the global economy.

We are now seeing the consequences of the Ukraine conflict on top of that,” he said at the meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister.

“There are also the more perennial issues of terrorism and climate change, both of which have a disruptive impact on progress and prosperity. Our talks will address the overall global situation as well as specific regional concerns,” EAM said.

There have been strong and continuing contacts between our Governments at various levels, Jaishankar said, mentioning the recent meetings of Indian leaders with their Russian counterparts.

“Prime Minister Modi and President Putin met most recently in Samarkand in September. Our Defence Ministers spoke to each other. My colleague National Security Advisor Doval was in Moscow in August. Our Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers was in Russia in June. And at the official level, I think, our colleagues have been in regular touch,” he said.

And this is all very much in the spirit of our relationship, he added.

The minister said that as far as bilateral ties between the two countries are concerned, “You would agree that it is our objective today to fashion a contemporary, balanced, mutually beneficial, sustainable and long-term engagement. Especially as our economic cooperation increases, this is a significant imperative.”

India and Russia engage each other in an increasingly multi-polar and re-balanced world, S Jaishankar said. We do so as two polities who have had an exceptionally steady and time-tested relationship, he added.

Dr Jaishankar appreciated the fact that the two ministers are meeting each other for the fifth time this year.

“I think that speaks of our long term partnership and the importance that we attach to each other. And I am really glad to be here today in Moscow to carry forward this dialogue,” he added.

The two ministers held talks here focussing on the trade, investments, transport, logistics as well as prospective projects in the energy sector, especially in the Arctic shelf and the Russian Far East.

The visit of Jaishankar is in continuation of the regular high-level dialogue between the two sides, the MEA said.

Dr Jaishankar had last visited Russia in July 2021 followed by a visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to New Delhi in April this year.