NEW DELHI: India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval will not participate in the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues scheduled in Moscow from May 27 to 29, PTI reported, citing sources on Monday.According to officials, Doval was slated to attend the key multilateral security forum hosted by Russia but had to withdraw due to a seasonal flu. “He is, however, unable to participate in the meeting due to indisposition with a seasonal flu,” sources said, adding that the NSA looks forward to early bilateral engagements with Russia on strategic and security matters, reported PTI.His absence comes after earlier reports had indicated that Doval was expected to travel to Russia this week for the event.During his last visit to Russia for the BRICS NSA-level meeting in St Petersburg in 2024, Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin. A statement from the Russian Embassy in India at the time highlighted the significance of the Indo-Russian strategic partnership. “President Putin noted the successful development of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia and stressed the importance of security issues in bilateral relations,” the embassy had said.On the sidelines of the BRICS meeting, Doval also held a bilateral meeting with Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Federation’s Security Council. The Russian Embassy had described India as one of Moscow’s “main like-minded partners,” emphasizing a “multi-level trust-based political dialogue” between the two countries.Shoigu had stated that “New Delhi is one of Moscow’s main like-minded partners in the world arena,” and noted that both nations continue to jointly address global security challenges.While Ajit Doval’s absence from this week’s Moscow meet is seen as a temporary setback, both sides have signaled continued cooperation on security and strategic matters in the near future.
