(DNA): India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday regarding the developing situation in Afghanistan, Iran and Gulf. Both countries have stakes in the West Asia region and any development will impact India’s energy interest. “They will discuss…efforts to preserve the joint comprehensive plan of action on Iranian nuclear programme, developments in the Persian Gulf area and the developments in Afghanistan,” said Maria Zakharova, spokesperson, Russian foreign ministry. The visit comes just ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Russia in the first week of September to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum. “They will focus on the preparations for the Indian delegation’s participation in the 5th Eastern Economic Forum and the annual summit. Important thematic sections include trade, investment, military, science and technology cooperation, along with the use of national currencies for mutual payments and prospective projects in space exploration and energy,” Zakharova added. India and Russia hold annual summits, with the last one held in Delhi in 2018 when the mega S-400 deal was announced.