bilateral cooperation | Business Upturn

India, Russia hold talks on MENA developments during BRICS consultations

Rashmi Pandey — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:55:59 +0000

On the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS MENA Consultations, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (South), Neena Malhotra, held a meeting with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Georgy Borisenko, to discuss recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, along with key aspects of bilateral cooperation.

According to an official update shared by Ministry of External Affairs via its social media platform X, the interaction took place in a constructive and cordial atmosphere. The two sides engaged in what was described as a “productive exchange of views” on evolving geopolitical dynamics in the MENA region, which continues to remain strategically significant due to ongoing conflicts, energy concerns, and shifting diplomatic alignments.

The discussions also covered various dimensions of India–Russia relations, reflecting the longstanding and traditionally close ties between the two countries. Both officials explored avenues to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, though specific details of these discussions were not publicly disclosed.

The meeting gains importance in the context of the broader multilateral engagement under the framework of BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and has been expanding its dialogue outreach to regions such as MENA. These consultations aim to enhance cooperation and understanding on regional and global issues among member states and partner regions.

India and Russia share a “special and privileged strategic partnership,” characterized by cooperation in defense, energy, trade, and multilateral platforms. Regular high-level engagements between officials from both countries underscore their commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic coordination on regional and global matters.

The BRICS MENA consultations provide an important platform for dialogue on pressing international developments, particularly at a time when geopolitical shifts in West Asia and North Africa continue to influence global security and economic stability.

India, Saudi Arabia hold talks to strengthen bilateral cooperation in multifarious sectors

United News of India (UNI) — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 10:38:44 +0000

New Delhi Feb 7 : Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, held talks with the Defence Minister and Assistant Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia to further consolidate bilateral cooperation in multifarious sectors.

Ajay Bhatt held meetings with the Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, on Tuesday and discussed various aspects of bilateral defence cooperation, an official statement said here on Wednesday.

He also held talks with the Assistant Minister of Defence, Dr. Khaled Al-Bayari, and discussed ways to further strengthen the long-standing and multi-faceted defence cooperation between the two countries. The discussions centred around exploring avenues for collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including increasing the scope of joint training exercises, technology transfer, and the exchange of expertise.

Moreover, Bhatt also held a meeting with the Governor of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, and discussed the way ahead towards collaborating in varied areas of defence production, research and development, and niche technologies.

He also visited the pavilion of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) on the sidelines of the World Defence Show 2024 (WDS 2024).

Both sides, in all discussions, shared a deep understanding of the evolving security landscape and resolved to increase bilateral defence cooperation in multifarious sectors while also recognising the mutual benefits of a strong partnership in safeguarding regional security.

The MoS Defence expressed confidence that the India-Saudi Arabia partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength, contributing significantly to regional stability and global security.

Besides, he also interacted with the representatives of Indian defence companies participating in the Defence Show and congratulated them for their impressive cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. The participation by Indian defence companies will not only contribute to an increase in footprint but also further develop the defence industry in both countries by forming lasting partnerships.

Ajay Bhatt also witnessed the signing of an MoU between Munitions India Limited and its local partner on the sidelines of WDS 2024. He also attended a business networking event with leading Indian and Saudi business personalities in Saudi Arabia.

India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ are national programmes that can be mutually beneficial to both sides. Both initiatives prioritise technological advancements, indigenous capabilities, and knowledge sharing. As highlighted by both sides, there is immense potential for collaboration in these areas, particularly in the co-development and joint production of defence technologies.

The visit has reaffirmed the inherent strength of bilateral ties, opened new avenues for cooperation, and solidified shared commitments towards a safer and more prosperous future.

India and Turkiye bilateral trade exceeds $10 billion

United News of India (UNI) — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 08:59:20 +0000

Ankara/New Delhi, June 11: India and Turkiye held the 11th round of Foreign Office Consultations
in Ankara during which both sides appreciated that commercial ties were on an upward trajectory with bilateral trade exceeding US$ 10 billion in 2021-2022.

The FoC were held on June 10 in Ankara. They were co-chaired by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) and Sedat Önal, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. The last round of FoC was held in New Delhi in May 2019.

During the consultations, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relations. Both sides appreciated that bilateral trade exceeded US$ 10 billion in 2021-2022.

Indian companies are present in Türkiye’s automobile, pharma and IT sectors. While, Türkiye’s companies were seeing opportunities in India’s infrastructure and engineering sectors.

Both sides agreed to further economic, cultural and people to people relations, an official statement said.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific. They also agreed to commemorate 75 years of bilateral diplomatic relations in a befitting manner.

The talks were held in a spirit of understanding and frankness. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of consultations in India on mutually convenient dates next year.

PM Modi to hold Virtual Bilateral Summit with Sri Lankan PM on 26th September

Anjana Krishna — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 06:14:57 +0000

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to hold a Virtual Bilateral Summit on 26th September with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Both the leaders will be able to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship soon after Parliamentary polls in Sri Lanka, in the context of time-tested friendly ties, the statement of Ministry of External Affairs read.

This will be the first time that PM Modi will be holding a bilateral meeting with a leader from the neighbourhood. Modi is also likely to address the United Nations General Assembly on the same day and discuss the “neighbourhood first” policy.

India and Sri Lanka have been engaged in several bilateral projects, including New Delhi’s infrastructure projects in Colombo that would require a review from both the leaders.

India, France and Australia hold Trilateral Talks

Aditi Swarup — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 12:30:44 +0000

In the context of Chinese aggression against her neighbours, India, Australia and France held trilateral talks. The talks also covered the Pandemic.
The talks were held to promote multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific Region. The talks were held between the Senior Officials from all the three countries.

A statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs read, “During the dialogue, the three sides discussed economic and geostrategic challenges and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and domestic responses to Covid-19.” The statement also said, “The outcome-oriented meeting was held with the objective of building on the strong bilateral relations that the three countries share with each other and synergising their respective strengths to ensure a peaceful, secure, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific Region.”

First India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue was held virtually today; The focus of the dialogue was on enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region.

(1/4) pic.twitter.com/F9CsjOqZSr

— DD India (@DDIndialive) September 9, 2020

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a ‘fruitful’ meeting with Iranian counterpart, discuss trade and security issues

Anjana Krishna — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 14:43:27 +0000

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Iranian defence minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami on Saturday and talked about ways to bolster bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional security issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.

He reached Tehran on Saturday after attending a 3-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers in Moscow. He also held bilateral talks with his counterparts from Russia, China and the Central Asian countries.

Singh tweeted on Sunday that he had a ‘fruitful meeting’ with his Iranian counterpart.”Both the Defence Ministers discussed ways to take forward bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional security issues, including peace and stability in Afghanistan,” Singh”s office said in a separate tweet.

Had a very fruitful meeting with Iranian defence minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami in Tehran. We discussed regional security issues including Afghanistan and the issues of bilateral cooperation . pic.twitter.com/8ZENfAgRPS

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 6, 2020

This visit is considered to be significant as it came a day after he voiced India’s deep concern about the situation in the Persian Gulf and called upon the countries in the region who are friendly to India to resolve their differences through dialogue based on mutual respect.

India-Nigeria held talk on bilateral relations, vow to boost trade and combat terrorism

Anjana Krishna — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 07:29:43 +0000

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama on Tuesday via videoconferencing and discussed an array of issues related to political, economic, defence, developmental assistance and cultural cooperation.

India is Nigeria’s biggest trade partner and the latter is India’s largest trading partner in the African continent with a bilateral trade turnover of USD 13.9 billion in 2019-20. Both sides decided to expand cooperation in Information Technology (IT), Defense and solar energy projects to be executed through the Indian Line of Credit (LoC). The armed forces of both nations are to work together to combat piracy, insurgency and terrorism and enhance surveillance in the Gulf of Guinea for maritime security. For defence training and capacity building, both nations also agreed to venture into newer areas such as defence equipment support, medical and maintenance services, sharing of research and development expertise.

https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1300774513752195074

Further, both sides agreed to cooperate on Mutual Legal Assistance, Extradition Treaty and the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

Nigeria thanked India for the medical supplies sent by India to tackle COVID-19 and India expressed gratitude for the safe release of 44 Indian seafarers who were held hostage by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea.

S Jaishankar and Mike Pompeo talk over phone, Discuss bilateral cooperation, Indo-Pacific region and COVID- 19

Nivedya P T — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 07:39:16 +0000

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his American counterpart Mike Pompeo, have spoken over phone and discussed the bilateral and multilateral cooperation on issues of international concern, including efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Both of them also deliberated over the Indo-Pacific region, supporting the peace process in Afghanistan, and addressing recent destabilizing actions in the region, said Cale Brown, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department, in a readout of the telephonic conversation.

The importance of boosting cooperation in the resource-rich Indo-Pacific region against the backdrop of China spreading its influence there and the need to ensure a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific, considering China’s rising military maneuvering in the region, has been a topic of discussion between India and the US. The issue was discussed extensively during the third round of the India-US Maritime Security Dialogue which took place in Goa in 2018.

The recent Chinese aggression in Eastern Ladakh was also taken up in the conversation. The US has been highly supportive of India on the border issues between the two sides.

“Both leaders agreed to continue close cooperation on a full range of regional and international issues and look forward to Quadrilateral consultations and the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue later this year,” said Brown.

The quadrilateral coalition between India, the US, Australia, and Japan to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of Chinese influence had already been given shape in November 2017.

“The two leaders reiterated the strength of the India-US relationship to advance peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe,” Brown added.

The two leaders have been in regular communication during the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed over 7 lakh lives and infected nearly 19 million people worldwide.