"India and Russia must do more to widen people-to-people relations": Foreign Affairs Expert

New Delhi [India], October 2 (ANI): Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev on Wednesday emphasised that the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India would be a very "important" one coming in the wake of the "turmoil" due to the policies of United States President Donald Trump.
"The visit of President Putin to India would be a very important one coming as it does between the world affairs which are right now in turmoil due to policies of President Trump. Apart from that, India and Russia are looking to deepen and widen their relations," he told ANI.
Sachdev emphasised the need for both India and Russia to "expand people-to-people relations" to strengthen strategic relations between the two countries.
"My submission is that we've had a lot of relations on defence and oil government-to-government relations, but India and Russia must do more to widen the people-to-people relations. Unless India and Russia are able to expand the people-to-people relations, our trade and our strategic relations will not go deeper and wider."
Meanwhile, India and Russia are finalising dates for Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, which is expected to take place in early December, sources said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also expected to visit India before President Putin's visit, to prepare for the summit and discuss bilateral issues.
At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, Lavrov announced that a visit by the Russian President is planned for New Delhi in December, marking the ongoing diplomatic preparations.
Speaking about India-Russia relations, Lavrov highlighted the depth of the bilateral agenda, covering trade, military and technical cooperation, finance, humanitarian matters, healthcare, high technology, artificial intelligence, and close coordination at international forums such as the SCO and BRICS.
On India's trade autonomy, Lavrov had emphasised, "We have full respect for the national interests of India, full respect for the foreign policy that Narendra Modi is carrying out to promote these national interests. We hold regular contacts at the highest level." He further clarified that India is "perfectly capable" of making its own decisions in trade relations, including those concerning Russian oil. (ANI)