India-Russia Maritime, Defence Ties in Focus as NSA Doval Meets Patrushev, Shoigu in Moscow

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held a series of high-level meetings in Moscow, reinforcing India’s deepening strategic partnership with Russia across defence, maritime, and security domains.

Doval met with Nikolai Patrushev on Friday (May 29), Aide to the Russian President and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, where the two sides reviewed progress on key bilateral initiatives in the maritime and defence sectors. The meeting marked a direct follow-up to engagements initiated at the highest levels last year.

Doval and Patrushev assessed the status of proposals that had been discussed during Patrushev’s visit to New Delhi in November 2025, ANI reported.

Their discussions centred on expanding cooperation in maritime connectivity, shipbuilding, defence collaboration, and the training of sailors for operations in polar waters. The two officials also exchanged views on regional and global developments.

Earlier, on the sidelines of the inaugural International Security Forum in Moscow, Doval also met his counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. The two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation in defence, security, energy, and economic ties.

Doval and Shoigu also exchanged views on the upcoming BRICS NSA meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi, as per reports.

In addition, Doval also met First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, where the two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across a range of areas including defence.

Addressing the International Security Forum, Doval raised concerns over instability in West Asia. “Safe and uninterrupted movement of international trade through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, is essential for the global economy,” he said, warning that risks to maritime traffic and disruptions to energy infrastructure reflect the fragility of the current global situation.

Doval also urged firm and united global action against terrorism, calling for no “double standards” in addressing the threat.

The Moscow engagements signal renewed momentum in India-Russia ties, with maritime cooperation—spanning Arctic operations, shipbuilding, and naval training—emerging as a major pillar alongside the traditionally strong defence and energy relationship.

Putin in Astana

Separately, speaking at the Eurasian Economic Council in Astana, President Putin said, “Negotiations on trade liberalisation with India have intensified. We fully support the draft decisions to commence negotiations on free trade agreements with new prospective partners. Naturally, we will carefully analyse all aspects of this process.”