NEW DELHI: Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on Sunday dismissed concerns that strains in India’s ties with the United States could affect New Delhi’s partnership with Moscow. Speaking after talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Lavrov praised India’s “self-respect” in safeguarding its energy interests and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “independent foreign policy.”
“These situations that might arise between India and the US or India and any other country, I can’t consider them a criterion for relations between India and Russia,” Lavrov told reporters. “We have full respect for the national interests of India, full respect for the foreign policy PM Modi is carrying out to promote these interests.”
Defending India’s continued purchase of Russian oil despite U.S. pressure, Lavrov quoted Jaishankar as saying: “If the US wants to sell its oil to us, we are prepared to discuss the terms. But what we buy from other countries, whether from Russia or others, is our business.” He described that as “a very worthy response,” adding that it showed India, like Türkiye, acts with “self-respect.”
Lavrov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in December for the annual summit, noting an “extensive bilateral agenda” covering trade, defence, technology, finance, healthcare, high-tech sectors, AI, and coordination within SCO and BRICS. He also underlined the “particularly privileged strategic partnership” binding the two countries.
On whether U.S. moves could disrupt India-Russia trade, Lavrov was categorical: “There is no threat to this relationship. India chooses its own partners.” He added that Russia does not question India’s trade ties with other countries and expects the same approach in return.
