Russian Deputy PM Manturov Visits India for Bilateral Talks

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov is set to arrive in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit to strengthen bilateral ties with India, amid escalating energy demands triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The trip, confirmed by Indian officials, underscores the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations as they navigate global disruptions in oil supplies.

Manturov will hold talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Discussions are expected to cover defense cooperation, energy security, and trade, including the fallout from the West Asia crisis, which has disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, a vital chokepoint for one-fifth of global oil flows, has seen halted vessel movements since early March, severely impacting imports from suppliers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. India relies on imports for over 88 percent of its crude needs, with roughly half typically transiting the strait.

The visit follows India's recent approval to procure an additional five S-400 air defense missile systems from...