‘India Capable of Taking Its Own Decisions,’ Says Russian Foreign Minister at UNGA, Highlights Deep Ties

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised India, stressing that India and Russia share a deep-rooted bond and a strategic partnership. He said India is capable of taking its own decisions, and added that constant dialogue continues between both nations.

Lavrov Praises India’s Independent Foreign Policy

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed India’s purchase of Russian oil and the overall relationship between the two countries. He said, “We fully respect India’s national interests. We equally respect the foreign policy choices made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote these interests.” Lavrov emphasized that both nations remain in regular and large-scale contact.

Also Read Russia Commends India’s Resistance to US Trade Pressure: Lavrov

Strategic Partnership Between India and Russia

Lavrov clarified that situations arising between India and the United States or India and other countries cannot define India-Russia ties. He reminded, “We have a strategic partnership, and we have called it that for a long time. At one point, our Indian friends suggested enhancing the term, and now we call it a special privileged strategic partnership.” He underlined that this bond is unique and continues to grow stronger.

Also Read PM Modi spotlights ‘time-tested’ India Russia ties amid tariff tensions with US

Upcoming Visits and Continued Engagement

The Russian minister announced upcoming high-level exchanges. “This year, Indian External Affairs Minister and my colleague Jaishankar will visit Russia, and I will visit India,” Lavrov stated. He highlighted that regular exchanges of views take place between Moscow and New Delhi. He also added, “I do not ask my Indian colleagues about what will happen to our trade relations or our oil. I do not raise this, because they are fully capable of making their own decisions.”

Also Read Russian Deputy PM Meets PM Modi, Talks Held on Trade and Free Trade Agreement

Lavrov Calls India a Nation of Self-Respect

Lavrov referred to past statements made by India’s External Affairs Minister. He said, “Publicly, my friend (Jaishankar) earlier responded to a similar question, saying if America wants to sell us oil, we are ready to discuss its terms. But what we buy from Russia or from any other country is entirely our matter. It has nothing to do with the India-US agenda.” Lavrov described this as a commendable reply and noted, “It shows that like Turkey, India also possesses self-respect.”