Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) and Minister Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in India, Roman Babushkin, held a productive meeting with Manish Chand, Founder and CEO of the Center for Global India Insights (CGII), to discuss the future of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between India and Russia. This meeting comes at a pivotal time as both nations gear up for the highly anticipated 16th BRICS Summit, which will take place from October 22 to 24, 2024, in Kazan, Russia.

During the discussions, Mr. Babushkin and Mr. Chand exchanged views on key areas of cooperation, emphasising the importance of enhancing the strategic partnership between India and Russia. They delved into the prospects of expanding collaboration across various sectors, including trade, technology, energy, and education. With the BRICS Summit on the horizon, both leaders highlighted the vital role that the forum plays in shaping multilateral dialogues that foster global peace, stability, and sustainable development.

The upcoming summit, set to take place in Kazan, will bring together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to explore new avenues of cooperation and address pressing global challenges. The meeting between Mr. Babushkin and Mr. Chand reflects the shared commitment of India and Russia to continue strengthening their relationship, not only within the BRICS framework but also in broader international platforms.
The conversation also touched upon the potential for both countries to deepen people-to-people ties, cultural exchange programmes, and collaborative efforts in education, which will serve as a bridge between the two nations. The significance of Russia’s role as the BRICS president this year and India’s leadership in global south diplomacy was underscored as a driving force for closer cooperation.

As the 16th BRICS Summit approaches, this meeting is a testament to the mutual respect and shared aspirations between India and Russia. Both nations remain dedicated to building a future of cooperation that aligns with the evolving geopolitical landscape.