Lavrov Clarifies: No Indian Leader Has Declared End to Russian Oil Purchases
In a significant statement to the Russian Parliament, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed recent claims about India's energy policies, specifically refuting assertions that India has agreed to cease purchasing Russian oil. Lavrov emphasized that, aside from US President Donald Trump, no other leader, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has made such a declaration.
"Sky is the Limit" for India-Russia Relations
During the Government Hour in the State Duma, Lavrov expressed Russia's strong commitment to enhancing bilateral ties with India. He stated, "Russia is ready to go as far in relations with India as New Delhi would desire", adding the optimistic phrase, "the sky is the limit". This underscores the potential for deepening cooperation across various sectors, including energy security, which has been a cornerstone of their strategic partnership.
Lavrov highlighted that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during the first Sherpa meeting under India's BRICS presidency, identified energy security as a top priority for the upcoming summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend this event, with a new bilateral meeting planned on the sidelines to further enrich relations, building on Putin's state visit to India in December 2025.
BRICS Presidency and India's Leadership Role
India formally assumed the chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, 2026, leading a 10-member bloc that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and five new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The first Sherpa meeting, held on February 9-10 in New Delhi, was chaired by India's BRICS Sherpa, Secretary Sudhakar Dalela, and supported by Joint Secretary Shambhu L Hakki.
During this meeting, India presented its priorities under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability". Key areas of focus included:
- Cooperation in health, agriculture, and labor
- Disaster risk reduction and environmental initiatives
- Climate change and energy security discussions
- Innovation, ICT, and economic domains
- Security and counter-terrorism efforts
Additionally, India emphasized a "people-centric" approach, with presentations on sports, youth connect, cultural engagements, and forums like the BRICS Academic and Think Tank Councils. The Ministry of External Affairs noted a productive exchange on institutional development, aiming to advance priorities of resilience and sustainability while building on previous chairships.
Context and Implications
Lavrov's remarks come amid global geopolitical shifts, reinforcing the stability of India-Russia relations despite external pressures. His clarification on oil purchases addresses misinformation and highlights the ongoing dialogue between the two nations. As India leads BRICS, this partnership is poised to play a crucial role in shaping multilateral cooperation, with energy security remaining a pivotal issue on the summit agenda.
