External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday. The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and discussed preparations for the annual summit later this year. In a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Lavrov, Jaishankar stated that India and Russia have maintained one of the steadiest major relationships in the world since the Second World War. He also emphasised the importance of sustaining energy cooperation through trade and investments, while pointing out that India is not the biggest buyer of Russian oil.
On his bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister, EAM Jaishankar stated that the two leaders reaffirmed their shared ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner.
Moscow | External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, "We reaffirmed our shared ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, including by increasing India's exports to Russia. This requires swiftly addressing non-tariff barriers and regulatory… https://t.co/eaHEotVqUZ
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2025
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“We reaffirmed our shared ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, including by increasing India’s exports to Russia. This requires swiftly addressing non-tariff barriers and regulatory impediments, enhancing India’s exports to Russia in sectors like agriculture, pharma, and textiles will certainly help correct the imbalance,” said Jaishankar.
‘Perplexed’: EAM Questions Logic Behind Targeting India over Russian Oil Trade
Jaishankar also clarified that India is not the largest purchaser of Russian oil, as often claimed, stating that China holds that position. He further noted that the European Union is the biggest buyer of Russian LNG, and not India. Jaishankar emphasised that India’s energy purchases are in line with its national interests and global expectations, pointing out that even the United States has encouraged efforts to stabilise global energy markets, including buying oil from Russia.
Highlighting that India has also increased oil imports from the US, he added, “So honestly, we are very perplexed at the logic of the argument that you had referred to.”
“We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian oil that is China. We are not the biggest purchasers of LNG that is the European Union. We are not the country which has the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022; I think there are some countries to the South. We are a country where the Americans have said for the last few years that we should do everything to stabilise the world energy market, including buying oil from Russia. Incidentally, we also buy oil from the US, and that amount has increased,” said Jaishankar.
Moscow | During a press briefing, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, "…We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian oil, that is China. We are not the biggest purchasers of LNG, that is the European Union. We are not the country which has the biggest trade surge… pic.twitter.com/Ol3G4G78jl
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2025
He further added that the two leaders discussed developments in Ukraine, West Asia, the Middle East and Afghanistan. Jaishankar reiterated that India’s approach continues to emphasise dialogue and diplomacy as essential to resolving differences.
Earlier, after meeting Lavrov, Jaishankar had shared that the global context for their meeting is provided by the evolving geopolitical situation, shifting economic trade landscape, and shared goal to maximise complementarity.
Meanwhile, Lavrov welcomed Jaishankar for the discussions, emphasising the role of multilateral groupings in shaping the world order. “This is a multipolar system of international relations with an increasing role played by SCO, BRICS and G20…I hope for fruitful talks today,” said the Russian Foreign Minister.
Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Russia. Apart from co-chairing IRIGC-TEC, the External Affairs Minister will address the India-Russia Business Forum meeting in Moscow.
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