SCO Summit: Russian Deputy Security Chief Meets NSA Ajit Doval in Beijing, Focus on Strengthening India-Russia Strategic Partnership
Beijing, June 24:
In a significant diplomatic engagement on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Alexander Venediktov held a high-level meeting with India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in Beijing. The leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions aimed at strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between India and Russia.
NSA Doval is currently in Beijing to attend the 20th Meeting of the National Security Advisors of the SCO member states. The visit comes amid growing regional and global challenges, making the bilateral talks between India and Russia particularly crucial. The Indian Embassy in Beijing confirmed the meeting and shared key highlights of the interaction on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“The Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Alexander Venediktov, met NSA Ajit Doval at the 20th SCO Security Council Secretaries’ Meeting in Beijing. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional, and global importance,” the Embassy posted.
Both delegations emphasized deepening cooperation under the framework of the “India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” According to the Indian side, Russia also extended an invitation to NSA Doval for the next round of high-level strategic consultations in Moscow.
The meeting signals a continued alignment between New Delhi and Moscow on critical security and geopolitical issues. India and Russia have traditionally enjoyed strong defense and strategic ties, and this dialogue reflects both nations’ shared commitment to navigating evolving global dynamics together.
Bilateral with China: Doval Meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
In a parallel diplomatic engagement, NSA Ajit Doval also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday. The meeting marked a crucial step in maintaining dialogue between India and China amid ongoing border tensions and broader geopolitical complexities.
During the meeting, NSA Doval underscored the urgent need for coordinated international efforts against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He emphasized that combating terrorism is essential for ensuring regional peace and long-term stability.
A statement released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that both sides reviewed recent developments in India-China bilateral relations. They discussed steps to enhance mutual understanding, promote people-to-people connections, and restore trust between the two Asian powers.
Doval reiterated India’s firm position that there can be no tolerance for terrorism in any form and called for concerted global action to eliminate the threat.
Regional Cooperation in Focus
This year’s SCO Security Council Secretaries’ Meeting holds particular significance as member countries, including India, Russia, and China, confront a rapidly evolving security landscape, ranging from terrorism and cyber threats to regional conflicts and economic instability.
NSA Doval’s presence and his bilateral engagements with top officials from Russia and China demonstrate India’s active role in shaping the future of regional cooperation through dialogue and strategic partnerships.