Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday said the Indian Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister have made it clear that India chooses its own partners. He made the remarks when asked about US secondary sanctions on India over Russian oil imports.
Sergey Lavrov said, “(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. 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.”
#WATCH | New York | Responding to a question by ANI on secondary sanctions imposed on India by the US for importing Russian oil, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says, "(The economic partnership between India and Russia) is not under threat… The Indian Prime Minister and… pic.twitter.com/mb64AWFpnU
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025
Russia has reiterated its support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday emphasised the need for reform in the UNSC to reflect the current global landscape. He stated that Russia backs India’s application for a permanent seat, along with Brazil, to enhance representation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Lavrov said Moscow “supports the application of Brazil and India for permanent seats” on the Council. With this, Russia became the only permanent member of the UNSC to support India for a permanent seat.
Earlier, Mauritius and Bhutan had also thrown their weight behind India’s long-standing bid. Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful told the Assembly, “India has now emerged as a major global player, and should have a permanent seat on the Council, commensurate with its constructive role in global affairs.”
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also supported India, he said “A reformed UNSC must include deserving nations such as India and Japan.”
