External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, engaging in discussions regarding bilateral relations and preparations for the upcoming annual summit. During a joint press conference, Jaishankar highlighted the enduring nature of the India-Russia relationship, emphasizing the importance of energy cooperation through trade and investment. He also addressed criticisms surrounding India’s oil purchases from Russia, stating that India is not the largest buyer and questioning the logic behind such critiques. Jaishankar pointed out that China is the biggest purchaser of Russian oil and the European Union is the largest buyer of Russian LNG. Furthermore, he stated that India’s energy purchases align with its national interests and global expectations, referencing the United States’ encouragement of efforts to stabilize global energy markets, which includes buying oil from Russia. Jaishankar also noted India’s increasing oil imports from the US.
During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, including boosting Indian exports to Russia. This involves addressing non-tariff barriers and regulatory obstacles. Discussions also covered developments in Ukraine, West Asia, the Middle East, and Afghanistan, with Jaishankar reiterating India’s emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy for resolving differences. Lavrov welcomed Jaishankar and highlighted the significance of multilateral groupings in shaping the world order, including the SCO, BRICS, and G20. Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Russia, where he will co-chair the IRIGC-TEC and address the India-Russia Business Forum.
