NSA Ajit Doval Visits Russia’s National Space Centre, Reviews India-Russia Space Cooperation

Moscow, May 2026 : India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday visited Russia’s National Space Centre in Moscow along with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, highlighting the growing strategic cooperation between the two countries in the fields of space, security, and technology.

During the visit to the space centre named after legendary Soviet cosmonaut Vera Tereshkova, NSA Doval also held a live interaction with the Russian crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking one of the key moments of the high-level engagement.

According to Russian state space agency Roscosmos, Doval and Manturov toured several advanced space technology exhibits, including models of the world’s most powerful four-chamber liquid rocket engine and the base module of the future Russian Orbital Station (ROS).

The delegation also visited the Roscosmos Joint Industry Information Center (JIIC), which has been established to monitor and analyse large volumes of data related to the rocket and space sector. The centre is expected to play a crucial role in the management and operation of the future Russian Orbital Station.

Roscosmos stated that during the interaction with ISS crew members Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Andrey Fedyaev, and Sergey Mikayev, the astronauts shared details about their recent spacewalk conducted on May 27 and discussed ongoing activities aboard the orbital laboratory.

Videos of NSA Doval closely examining the official vehicle used by legendary Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space in 1961, also gained significant attention on social media platforms.

Apart from the space facility tour, Doval and Manturov held discussions focused on expanding India-Russia cooperation in the space sector. The talks are seen as part of broader strategic engagements between the two nations, which continue to maintain close ties in defence, energy, science, and technology.

NSA Doval is currently in Moscow to participate in the two-day International Security Forum and the 14th Meeting of High Representatives for Security Matters hosted by Sergei Shoigu.

On Thursday, addressing security officials and National Security Advisors from several countries, Doval strongly emphasised the need for a unified global stand against terrorism. He stated that there cannot be any double standards in dealing with terrorism and called upon responsible nations to decide whether they stand with sponsors of terrorism or oppose them through decisive action.

In his address, Doval also highlighted the growing importance of ensuring safe and uninterrupted trade movement through international waterways, particularly the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, amid evolving geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

The Indian Embassy in Russia, sharing details of his speech on social media platform X, noted that Doval stressed the importance of a consistent and uncompromising approach in the global fight against terrorism.

On the sidelines of the forum, NSA Doval also held a bilateral meeting with Sergei Shoigu. According to the Indian Embassy, the two leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation in defence, security, energy, and economic sectors, while also exchanging views on the upcoming BRICS National Security Advisors’ meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi.

Officials indicated that Doval is expected to hold additional bilateral meetings with representatives from several countries later on Friday as part of India’s broader diplomatic and strategic outreach at the international security forum.

The visit underscores the continuing depth of India-Russia relations, particularly in strategic areas such as national security, defence technology, and space cooperation, which remain central pillars of the partnership between the two countries.

Team Maverick