Sushma Swaraj in Russia for Inter-Governmental Commission meet

MOSCOW: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived here on a three-day visit to participate in the annual India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission meeting in which the two countries will discuss key strategic issues including space, defence, energy and trade.

Swaraj was received in Moscow by Indian Ambassador to Russia P S Raghavan will also hold extensive talks with her Russian counterpart Dmitry Rogozin on various regional and bilateral issues including science and technology.

The 21st round of inter-governmental meet, to be co- chaired by the External Affairs Minister and Rogozin will take stock of the entire gamut of ties between the two time-tested partners.

The talks are likely to focus on ways to expand cooperation in trade and investment, particularly in the energy sector including nuclear power.

Enhancing trade and economic cooperation is a key priority for the two governments.

The two countries have set a target of $30 billion bilateral trade by 2025. Bilateral trade during in 2014 amounted to $9.51 billion, with Indian exports touching $3.17 billion and imports from Russia $6.34 billion.

Russia is an important partner for India in peaceful uses of nuclear energy.