Russia has firmly backed India's stance on continuing Russian oil purchases despite US pressure, praising the nation's "self-respect" and affirming that there is "no threat" to the long-standing New Delhi-Moscow partnership.
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, addressing the media after speaking at the UN General Assembly on Saturday, underlined that India’s ties with the US or any other nation cannot serve as a benchmark for Moscow’s relations with New Delhi.
Lavrov also backed Jaishankar’s firm remarks on India’s energy choices. Earlier Jaishankar had said, "US wants to sell its oil to us, we are prepared to discuss the terms for this, but what we buy from other countries, not the United States, but from Russia or other countries, that's our own business, and that has nothing to do with the Indian-US agenda.”
Praising the statement, Lavrov called it "a very worthy response" and added that it showed India, like Turkiye, has "self-respect."
The Russian foreign minister reiterated that India alone decides its partnerships. "There is no threat to this relationship. And if somebody does do something of that nature, the Indian Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, have said it loud and clear, India chooses its own partners," he said.
"If the US has proposals on how to enrich bilateral trade between the US and India, they are prepared to discuss the terms for that, whatever terms the US might put forth. But when it comes to trade, investment, economic, military, technological and other relations between India and third states, it is something that India will discuss only with those states in question," Lavrov added.
He reaffirmed that the two nations share a “particularly privileged strategic partnership” and noted regular high-level contacts, including PM Modi’s recent meeting with President
Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Putin is also expected to visit New Delhi in December.
Lavrov pointed to the breadth of cooperation between the two countries, spanning trade, defence, finance, healthcare, technology, and global coordination within platforms like BRICS and the SCO.
"We have a very extensive bilateral agenda -- trade, military, technical cooperation, finance, humanitarian matters, healthcare, high tech, artificial intelligence -- and of course, close coordination at the international level, within the SCO, BRICS and bilaterally," the Russian leader said, adding that he frequently engages with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Responding to questions about India’s oil purchases, Lavrov said Moscow respects New Delhi’s independent policy.
"We have full respect for the national interests of India, full respect for the foreign policy that (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi is carrying out to promote these national interests," he added, noting that India and Russia maintain regular high-level contacts.
The remarks come amid rising trade tensions, with the Trump administration slapping 50% tariffs on India, including an additional 25% levy linked to its purchases of Russian crude—among the highest duties imposed by Washington globally.
India, however, has maintained that its energy imports are driven purely by national interest and market realities, with New Delhi consistently asserting its right to make independent decisions on procurement.