NEW DELHI, November 8. /TASS/. Regular interaction between India and Russia reflects the importance both countries attach to their bilateral partnership, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said before talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

The Indian top diplomat thanked the Russian foreign minister for his hospitality. "I look forward to the regular consultations that is part of our tradition. I believe this is the fifth time we are meeting this year. I think that speaks of our long-term partnership and the importance that we attach to each other. And I am really glad to be here today in Moscow to carry forward this dialogue," he said.

According to Jaishankar, "there have been strong and continuing contacts between our governments at various levels." "Prime Minister Modi and President Putin met most recently in Samarkand in September. Our defense ministers spoke to each other. My colleague, National Security Advisor Doval, was in Moscow in August. Our minister for chemicals and fertilizers was in Russia in June. And at the official level, I think, our colleagues have been in regular touch. And this is all very much in the spirit of our relationship," he stressed.

The Indian foreign minister is in Moscow on an official visit which includes talks with Lavrov as well as with Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov.