India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will miss a scheduled visit to Moscow, citing indisposition due to seasonal flu.
As StratNews Global had reported earlier, Doval was due to attend the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues. The three-day summit beginning May 27 is a key platform for dialogue on regional and global security.
Officials said Doval remains committed to advancing India-Russia strategic cooperation. “He looks forward to taking forward bilateral engagement with Russia on strategic and security matters at an early date,” said sources.
The visit was expected to reaffirm India’s independent approach to global security, particularly at a time when geopolitical pressures from the West are intensifying. As the world navigates rising tensions and volatile narratives, Ajit Doval’s anticipated message was clear: India sets its own course and chooses its allies based on national interest, not on electoral cycles or foreign prescriptions.
Russian Systems Prove Pivotal In Operation Sindoor
The significance of India’s defence partnership with Russia has been dramatically underlined in recent weeks through Operation Sindoor, a high-stakes counterterrorism mission. Key to the operation’s success were Russian-supplied platforms, notably the S-400 air defence system and the Indo-Russian BrahMos missile.
The S-400 system, deployed to neutralise airborne threats, proved decisive in protecting Indian airspace. The BrahMos precision-strike missile was reportedly used to target terrorist infrastructure across the border with pinpoint accuracy.
“This operation demonstrated the critical value of our long-standing defence collaboration with Russia,” a senior defence official said. “It gave India the strategic edge we needed at a time of heightened threat perception.”
Russia Stands With India Against Terrorism
During a meeting with an Indian parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Moscow firmly stood with India against terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations.” He also reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to intensify counterterrorism cooperation through international forums like the United Nations, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The Indian embassy in Moscow issued a statement highlighting Russia’s unequivocal support in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Senior Russian lawmakers, including First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council’s Committee on International Affairs, Andrei Denisov, conveyed solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism.
“Russia and India stand united in this fight,” the statement read, underscoring the shared commitment to combating extremism and defending national sovereignty.
Tense Moments Amid Ukraine Conflict
India’s presence in Moscow last week wasn’t without complications. A drone attack by Ukrainian forces temporarily disrupted air traffic, delaying the arrival of an Indian delegation that included Members of Parliament from various parties and senior diplomats. The flight circled the skies over Moscow until it was deemed safe to land.
Despite the security scare, the visit proceeded, with the delegation engaging Russian counterparts on regional security, disinformation and the risks posed by state-backed cross-border terrorism.
Academic And Strategic Dialogue
During their stay, Indian delegates held detailed discussions with Russian scholars and institutions, including the Valdai Discussion Club, RISS and the Russian International Affairs Council. The conversations focused on counterterrorism research, strategic foresight and crisis response, emphasizing the importance of academic collaboration in crafting long-term security solutions.
Though Ajit Doval’s visit has been put off, both New Delhi and Moscow appear determined to sustain the momentum in bilateral security engagement.
