‘Ties with Russia more valuable in volatile times’: Jaishankar as he meets Lavrov
(PTI)After meeting the visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New Delhi on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the political cooperation between India and Russia is even “more valuable in an uncertain and volatile global environment”. Jaishankar said that he and Lavrov held “productive” talks shortly after the Russian foreign minister landed in New Delhi to attend the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting starting Thursday.In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar said, “Our conversation touched upon several aspects of the India–Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, including trade and investment, energy and connectivity, science and technology, as well as facilitating mobility of skills and talent… Other global and multilateral issues of mutual interest were also discussed.” Earlier, in his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said India and Russia have a shared interest in strengthening multipolarity and could benefit through greater “de-risking”. “The last few years have seen a steady and sustained growth in our bilateral partnership. Its economic and energy dimensions have become pronounced. Our political cooperation is even more valuable in an uncertain and volatile global environment,” said Jaishankar. “We have expanded our collaboration in science and technology. The mobility of talents and skills has acquired greater salience and our interest in ensuring better connectivity is deeper,” he added. “The complicated international situation also merits an open exchange of views, especially between two trusted partners,” he said, adding that India and Russia have a shared interest in strengthening multipolarity.Story continues below this ad Jaishankar also met Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and South Africa’s Minister for International Relations Ozzy Lamola, who are also in Delhi for the BRICS meeting. Talking about his meeting with the newly-appointed Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, Jaishankar wrote on X: “Underlined our Neighbourhood First policy and reviewed our bilateral cooperation. Reiterated India’s commitment to Maldives’ progress and development. India, as the 2026 chair of the BRICS, is hosting the conclave of the foreign ministers ahead of the annual summit of the grouping later in September. While Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in New Delhi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will not be at the meeting, since it coincides with the high-stakes talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week. China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, is likely to represent Beijing at the BRICS meeting.Story continues below this ad During the meeting, the MEA said that the foreign ministers of BRICS Member countries will exchange views on “global and regional issues of mutual interest”. On the second day, BRICS Member and Partner countries will participate in a session themed “BRICS at 20: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. This will be followed by a session on the “Reforms of Global Governance and Multilateral System”. The last BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. The meeting was chaired by India in its capacity as the incoming BRICS Chair for 2026.
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