Russia has once again thrown its full diplomatic weight behind India’s independent foreign policy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reaffirmed that the relationship between India and Russia is built on a “privileged strategic partnership” and praised New Delhi’s stand on oil trade despite U.S. tariff pressures, including recent moves by Donald Trump’s administration.
Lavrov made these remarks during a press interaction on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where global trade dynamics and Trump’s tariff policies were major talking points. The Russian minister was asked about U.S. attempts to influence India’s oil imports and defense deals, to which he gave a sharp, clear response supporting India’s sovereign decision-making.
‘India Itself Decides What to Buy and From Whom’
In response to a question on U.S. pressure regarding Russian oil, Lavrov said,
“India is fully capable of deciding what it wants to buy and from which country. If the U.S. wants to sell oil to India, it can discuss terms, but ultimately, it is India’s sovereign decision.”
He added that the India–Russia economic partnership remains strong and is not under threat from American sanctions or trade conditions. Lavrov’s statement was seen as a strong diplomatic signal to Washington that Moscow supports New Delhi’s independent stance on international trade.
India–Russia: A Privileged Strategic Partnership
Lavrov highlighted that India–Russia ties are not merely transactional but deeply strategic. He said the relationship has evolved over decades and now spans multiple areas including trade, defense, technological cooperation, finance, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and major multilateral platforms such as SCO and BRICS.
“Our relations are not ordinary. This is a privileged strategic partnership,” Lavrov said.
He recalled recent high-level meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin, including their interaction during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, and Putin’s upcoming visit to New Delhi in December. Regular ministerial exchanges, he noted, further strengthen this bond. External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is expected to visit Moscow later this year, while Lavrov himself will travel to India for bilateral talks.
Backing India’s Independent Foreign Policy
Lavrov strongly praised India’s independent foreign policy, drawing a comparison to Turkey and other nations that have asserted self-respect in international relations.
“India chooses its partners based on its national interest. If the U.S. has conditions for enhancing Indo–U.S. trade, India will examine them, but decisions on relations with third countries remain entirely India’s internal matter,” Lavrov emphasized.
His remarks come at a time when former U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at new tariffs on countries trading with Russia, indirectly putting pressure on nations like India. However, India has maintained that it will continue to buy Russian oil as it suits its economic and strategic interests.
Strategic Oil Imports: A Diplomatic Balancing Act
Since the Ukraine conflict, India has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian oil, drawing criticism from Western nations. Yet, New Delhi has maintained a careful diplomatic balance — continuing its partnership with Moscow while expanding trade and security cooperation with Washington.
Lavrov’s latest statements not only reinforce Russia’s understanding of India’s position but also underline Moscow’s willingness to support India’s independent stance at the global stage.
The Russian Foreign Minister’s comments are a clear reminder that India’s growing global influence gives it the leverage to make sovereign decisions in trade, energy, and defense — without bowing to external pressure. As Trump’s tariff strategies reshape global trade, India’s ability to navigate between major powers like the U.S. and Russia highlights the success of Modi and Jaishankar’s diplomatic strategy.
With strategic partnerships deepening and high-level visits on the horizon, the India–Russia relationship appears poised to grow even stronger despite geopolitical challenges.
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