National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will visit Moscow from September 10 to 11
Ajit Doval Visit To Russia, Discuss Peace Efforts
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will visit Moscow from September 10 to 11, where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss peace efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. On the sidelines of the BRICS-NSA meeting, Doval will also hold bilateral meetings with his Russian and Chinese counterparts with the possibility of following up on the discussions from the July summit in Moscow.
BRICS is an informal group of 10 nations comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The last BRICS-NSA meeting was held in South Africa’s Johannesburg in 2023, where Doval also represented India.
During his telephonic conversation with Russian President Putin last month, PM Narendra Modi informed him that Doval would be visiting Moscow to discuss ideas related to peace following his trip to Ukraine. The PM, however, did not specify a date or timing of Doval’s visit.
Here are 7 things you need to know about this meeting:
 Purpose: The main goal of Doval’s meeting in Moscow is to discuss strategies for peace in the Ukraine conflict amid increased calls for dialogue.
Background: Doval’s visit follows PM Narendra Modi’s recent trips to Moscow and Kyiv. Modi’s visits in July and August have sparked discussions about India’s potential role in mediating the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Yesterday, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni told press that India could play a major role in resolving Russia-Ukraine conflict. This statement came after a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Upcoming visits: In addition to the current visit, PM Modi is scheduled to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October. This summit will bring together top leaders from the BRICS nations.
Expected discussions: During his visit, Doval is anticipated to meet with his Russian counterpart to explore ways to advance peace efforts. India is waiting for signals from both Russia and Ukraine regarding its potential involvement in mediation.
Ukraine’s Perspective: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed a desire for India to actively support Ukraine rather than merely balancing relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. Zelenskyy has called for India to play a more decisive role in the conflict.
International Calls for Mediation: Russian President Putin has also mentioned India, Brazil, and China as potential intermediaries in the peace process.
India’s Position: India has consistently advocated for resolving the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi’s commitment to peace was evident during his visit to Ukraine, where he emphasized India’s readiness to support peaceful resolution efforts.
