New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI): The First Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russia, Denis Manturov, arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors and to co-chair the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation.

According to a post on X by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Manturov will co-chair the Intergovernmental Commission with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and participate in other high-level bilateral meetings.

'A warm welcome to Mr. Denis Manturov, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation and co- Chair of India Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade , Economic, Scientific, Technological & Cultural Cooperation, to New Delhi. During the visit, he will hold consultations with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and engage in other bilateral meetings,' the post read.

The Embassy of Russia in India also confirmed his arrival, stating that a series of negotiations covering a broad spectrum of bilateral cooperation issues will take place during the visit.

In a statement issued by the Embassy ahead of his arrival, Manturov emphasised that the primary focus of the Intergovernmental Commission remains the comprehensive expansion of trade and economic ties between the two nations.

He highlighted priorities such as ensuring stability in mutual settlements and logistics chains, improving market access conditions, and promoting new investment initiatives and joint projects and further noted that discussions would include specific steps to implement plans outlined in the Economic Cooperation Programme through 2030, adopted in December 2025, especially in light of the current global situation.

'The key focus of the Intergovernmental Commission's work today is the comprehensive expansion of trade and economic ties, ensuring the stability of mutual settlements and logistics chains, improving conditions for mutual market access, and identifying and supporting new investment initiatives and cooperative projects. Specific steps to implement these plans, including those outlined in the Economic Cooperation Program through 2030 adopted in December 2025, and in the context of the current global situation, will be discussed during the meetings with our Indian partners scheduled as part of the visit', Manturov noted.

During his stay in the national capital, Manturov is also scheduled to meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. (ANI)