Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Shobini Gunasekera, held a constructive meeting with Director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS), Dr. Mikhail Fradkov. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the current state of Sri Lanka–Russia relations and discuss avenues for deepening cooperation in the political, cultural, trade, investment and people-to-people spheres.

Director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, Dr. Mikhail Fradkov, has served in this position since January 2017. He brings extensive experience in Russian public service, having previously served as Prime Minister of the Russian Federation from 2004 to 2007 and as Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation from 2007 to 2016.

The two sides exchanged views on developments in South Asia and the wider Indian Ocean region, and discussed matters of mutual interest relating to bilateral engagement between Sri Lanka and Russia.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Shobini Gunasekera, and Director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, Dr. Mikhail Fradkov, affirmed their shared interest in sustaining regular high-level contacts and promoting joint research and expert-level initiatives through leading think tanks and research institutions of the two countries, reaffirming the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation.

The Russian Institute for Strategic Studies is a leading Russian state-affiliated think tank, established in 1992 and operating under the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation. The Institute conducts research and analysis on foreign policy, regional security and international relations, and provides strategic assessments and policy recommendations to Russian governmental bodies.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Moscow

18 September 2026