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The VIF, in collaboration with the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) organised a virtual discussion on "Post Covid Global and Regional Trends and India-Russia Relations on 23 June. The participants in the discussion included Dr. Arvind Gupta, Andrey Kortunov, Nikolay Kudashev, DB Venkatesh Varma, Amb. Kanwal Sibal, Victoria Panova, Andrey Volodin, Amb. Anil Wadhwa, P.S. Raghavan, Gleb Ivashentsov and Lt. Gen Ravi K Sawhney. The discussion saw a candid exchange of views with respect to three important topical themes: emerging global and regional trends in the post Covid world; developments in the Indo-Pacific; and trends in India-Russia ties.

The speakers reiterated the importance of India-Russia ties in shaping the new world order. Both sides highlighted that the bilateral relationship has endured several geopolitical changes and challenges in the past and would continue to display similar resilience in future. The ongoing cooperation between the two sides is multifaceted and carries tremendous scope for expansion. In this respect, the manufacturing of Sputnik Vaccine in India was cited as an important achievement.

Noting that India-Russia share a mutual desire to see bilateral ties flourish further and make it more relevant to the changing environment, the speakers also emphasised the need to have more such dialogues in future.