By Harshit, New York, September 28, 2025 — 9:30 AM ET
At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed that the longstanding economic and strategic partnership between India and Russia remains “not under threat,” despite U.S. tariffs imposed on India for importing Russian oil.
Strategic Partnership Remains Strong
Responding to questions about secondary sanctions imposed by the United States on India, Lavrov emphasized that India retains the sovereign right to choose its international partners.
“(The economic partnership between India and Russia) is not under threat. The Indian Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have made it clear that India chooses its own partners,” Lavrov said. He added that while India is open to discussing proposals from the U.S. on enhancing bilateral trade, its relations with third countries, including Russia, will be negotiated solely with those nations.
Lavrov underscored that India-Russia ties span trade, investment, defense, technology, and other sectors, describing the partnership as a “particularly privileged strategic partnership.”
Respect for India’s National Interests
Lavrov highlighted Russia’s respect for India’s foreign policy and its pursuit of national interests under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “We have full respect for the national interests of India and the foreign policy that Narendra Modi is carrying out to promote these national interests,” he said, noting the regular high-level contacts between the two countries.
The Russian Foreign Minister further clarified that challenges in India’s relations with other countries, such as the United States, do not affect Moscow-New Delhi ties. “These situations that might arise between India and the United States or India and any other country, I can’t consider them a criterion for relations between India and the Russian Federation,” Lavrov stated.
Bilateral Cooperation and International Coordination
Lavrov recalled the recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, highlighting close coordination at the international level.
He also announced plans for President Putin to visit New Delhi in December, describing a “very extensive bilateral agenda” covering trade, military and technical cooperation, finance, humanitarian matters, healthcare, high-tech sectors, artificial intelligence, and multilateral collaboration within SCO, BRICS, and other forums.
“The strategic relationship between India and Russia is longstanding and has grown over time. Our Indian friends have even refined the terminology of our partnership to reflect its growing importance,” Lavrov said, referencing the evolution from a strategic partnership to a “privileged” and now “particularly privileged” strategic partnership.
Outlook: Partnership Amid Global Pressures
Lavrov’s remarks come amid increasing U.S. pressure on India regarding Russian oil imports. Analysts note that Russia’s reaffirmation of support for India underscores Moscow’s intent to maintain strong economic and geopolitical ties, despite Washington’s punitive measures.
The statements signal that India’s diversified foreign policy, including engagement with Russia, is likely to continue, even as it balances relations with the United States and other global powers.
