Russia–India ties ‘impossible to destroy,’ says Lavrov
Moscow hails strategic partnership with India across defence, energy and technology; slams Western pressure on New Delhi over Russian oil as “Neocolonial” energy policy; praises the nation's energy independence amid rising global oil trade tensions
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has described relations between Russia and India as “impossible to destroy,” underscoring what he called decades of strong cooperation across defence, energy, technology, space, culture and manufacturing.
Lavrov said the two countries’ economies are “complementary,” adding that long-standing engagement has ensured resilience in bilateral ties despite external geopolitical pressures.
He noted that while some global powers are attempting to “undermine” Russia–India relations, such efforts have not succeeded. “Those who are trying to worry about the future of Russian-Indian friendship… should not be worried,” Lavrov said, stressing that the partnership continues to strengthen.
Lavrov’s remarks came ahead of his planned visit to New Delhi for the BRICS foreign ministers’ two-day meeting, which kicks off today (Wednesday), highlighting the continued high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Reflecting on defence cooperation, Lavrov said Russia played a key role in supporting India’s military development after independence, at a time when, he claimed, Western countries were reluctant to assist New Delhi in building its defence capabilities.
He pointed to landmark joint programs and defence manufacturing initiatives, including BrahMos missiles, Kalashnikov production, and T-90 tanks being manufactured in India, as examples of deep technological collaboration.
Lavrov added that during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India last year, both sides agreed on a long-term roadmap for economic cooperation, with a strong focus on defence and industrial partnerships.
The Russian foreign minister also praised India’s broader development trajectory, crediting its leadership for pursuing policies aimed at strengthening national sovereignty across economic, military, and cultural spheres.
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the most vibrant leaders the world has ever seen,” Lavrov said, noting his focus on achieving “absolute sovereignty” in key sectors while preserving India’s civilizational heritage.
Lavrov’s comments come amid ongoing geopolitical realignments, where Russia has increasingly emphasized its strategic partnership with India in the face of Western sanctions and global economic fragmentation.
Meanwhile, Lavrov has sharply criticized Western efforts to discourage countries of the Global South, including India, from purchasing Russian oil, describing the pressure as “neocolonial methods.”
He argued that countries are being urged to avoid “cheap Russian oil” in favor of more expensive alternatives, including higher-cost energy supplies from the United States. “These are colonial, or neocolonial, methods,” Lavrov said, adding that such policies amount to attempts to control global markets.
Lavrov also linked the broader geopolitical climate, including the Middle East crisis, to what he described as Washington’s desire to influence global energy routes and supply chains. He stressed that not all countries are yielding to this pressure.
The Russian foreign minister praised India’s stance on energy procurement, saying Moscow respects New Delhi’s consistent position that its energy imports are driven by national interest and market conditions.
India, the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of electricity after China and the United States, imports more than 85 percent of its crude oil needs. Since 2022, it has significantly increased purchases of Russian oil to meet rising domestic demand.
Despite sustained Western pressure, India has continued its imports, prioritizing energy security for its 1.4 billion population and industrial base. Earlier sanctions on Russian oil firms briefly affected supply flows, but exemptions and waivers have helped stabilize imports amid global market volatility.
