Lavrov further stated that discussions with Indian leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting focused on expanding trade architecture. Screengrab: ANI
Lavrov calls for insulating India-Russia ties from "unfriendly pressure"
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calls for stronger India-Russia trade and financial cooperation, amid sanctions pressure and Trump-era tariff tensions
In a veiled dig at US President Donald Trump and his tactics of imposing sanctions and tariffs, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday (May 15) called for boosting the "privileged strategic partnership" between India and Russia with a focus on insulating bilateral ties from the "unfriendly pressure" resulting from third-country sanctions and tariffs.
Tariffs and strategic Ties
Trump had imposed a 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on India for its purchase of Russian oil, which he alleged was being used by Russia to fund its war in Ukraine. The US Supreme Court had struck down Trump’s global tariffs in February.
Also Read: BRICS meet: Heated exchanges between Iran and UAE over West Asia conflict
Speaking to reporters, following the BRICS meeting, the Russian Foreign Minister further stated that during his discussion with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the issue of safeguarding the mechanism of bilateral cooperation from “unfriendly pressure” from third countries came up.
"We also discussed the ways to improve the mechanisms of cooperation and to strengthen this cooperation further in trade and economy and in investment in such a way that we don't depend on the negative, unfriendly pressure from third countries," stated Lavrov.
Meet with PM Modi
"During the talks with the Foreign Minister of India, His Excellency S Jaishankar, and during a lengthy reception and conversation with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, we discussed the key areas of our privileged strategic partnership that were defined during the summits between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the latest summit of this kind that took place here in New Delhi last December," he added as quoted by ANI.
Also Read: BRICS India 2026 logo unveiled as India assumes chair of grouping
He was providing an update on the progress made since the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held in December 2025.
Lavrov further stated that discussions with Indian leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting focused on expanding trade architecture and building independent financial mechanisms insulated from Western-led economic restrictions and the uncertainty surrounding Washington’s tariff policies.
Trade goals and economic shielding
The two sides, according to Lavrov, also reviewed an ambitious roadmap aimed at taking bilateral trade between India and Russia to USD 100 billion by 2030, while exploring deeper coordination in transport corridors, logistics infrastructure and investment channels to strengthen connectivity and commercial integration.
Also Read: Six more countries to join BRICS from Jan 1 next year, says South Africa
Though framed in economic terms, the remarks were seemingly an indirect swipe at Trump and the reciprocal tariff measures introduced by Washington, which have injected volatility into global trade flows.
Earlier meeting
Earlier on Thursday, PM Modi received Lavrov in New Delhi, where both leaders reviewed progress made since the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in December 2025. They also exchanged views on Ukraine and West Asia.
"We also exchanged views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia. Reiterated our consistent support for efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of conflicts", PM Modi stated in a post on X.