India, Russia hold security cooperation talks in Moscow

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow held discussions on a wide range of bilateral and international issues.

The Russian embassy, in a statement, said the talks included cooperation in the area of security, as well as topical problems in the region.

"On August 17 in Moscow, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev held talks with National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India Ajit Doval," the Russian embassy in India tweeted.

"A wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation in the area of security, as well as topical problems on the regional and international agenda, were discussed," the embassy said.

The Russian said that the two sides agreed to continue the dialogue between the Security Councils of the two countries.

"The Sides agreed to continue the dialogue between the two countries' Security Councils, having emphasized the progressive development of the Russian-Indian special and privileged strategic partnership," the embassy said.

This visit comes as India continues to engage with Russia on a number of issues including India's energy security amid the Ukraine conflict.

On August 16, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar defended India's crude oil imports from Russia and termed it the "best deal" for the country.

(ANI)