Speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that the economic partnership between India and Russia is “not in danger,” despite the US imposing tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil. Lavrov said that India is fully capable of making its own decisions regarding trade and economic relations with Russia. He further said, “This is a very commendable response that shows India has self-respect.”
India chooses its partners
Responding to a question on the secondary sanctions imposed by the US, Lavrov said, “(The economic partnership between India and Russia) is not in danger… The Indian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have made it clear that India chooses its own partners.”
He further said that if the US wants to improve trade with India, New Delhi is ready for dialogue. “If the US has proposals to enrich bilateral trade between India and the US, we are ready to discuss them, regardless of the conditions the US sets.” However, Lavrov further stated that when it comes to trade, investment, defense, technology, or any other type of cooperation between India and another country, it is India’s own decision to negotiate directly with that country, not through external pressure.
India has self-respect in its decisions
The Russian Foreign Minister noted that there are regular exchanges between the two countries, including Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visits to Russia and his own visit to India.
Lavrov praised Jaishankar, adding that India is ready to discuss trade with the US if necessary, but what it purchases from Russia or other countries is entirely India’s own decision and does not depend on the India-US agenda. Lavrov said this demonstrates that India firmly defends its national interests and makes independent decisions in international trade.
“Utmost respect” for India’s policies
On India’s purchase of Russian oil and maintaining relations with Moscow, Lavrov said, “We fully respect India’s national interests, and also fully respect the foreign policy pursued by Narendra Modi to promote these national interests. We maintain regular contact at the highest level…”
Furthermore, in his speech, he stated that India-Russia relations remain strategic and strong: “Whatever circumstances may arise between India and the United States or India and any other country, I cannot consider them a benchmark for relations between India and the Russian Federation.” He emphasized that the two countries share a strategic partnership. “At one point, our Indian friends proposed to supplement that term, and now we call it a privileged strategic partnership, and a little later, our Indian friends proposed another clarification—now, we call it a particularly privileged strategic partnership.” Lavrov said Moscow has “highest respect” for India’s decisions and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
Modi-Putin Talks and Upcoming Visit
Lavrov recalled the recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. He said the two leaders share “close coordination” on many global issues.
“Recently, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin met at the SCO summit in Tianjin, China. And in December, Mr. Putin’s visit to New Delhi is being planned. Our bilateral agenda is very broad, including trade, military, technical cooperation, finance, humanitarian affairs, healthcare, high technology, artificial intelligence, and of course close coordination at the international level, within the SCO, BRICS, and bilaterally…” Lavrov said.’