Lavrov’s ‘take out the gun’ remark during BRICS Summit briefing goes viral

During a visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, Sergey Lavrov found himself in an unusually tense exchange with a journalist during a media briefing, an incident that has since spread widely online after he appeared to warn that security personnel could “take out the gun” if the disruption did not stop.

Repeated disruptions

The briefing was reportedly interrupted more than once by a journalist who was allegedly speaking on the phone while Lavrov was responding to questions. After the repeated disturbance, the Russian minister stopped mid-briefing and asked security officials to step in.

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“Can you just leave us? It's either you yourself or your phone,” Lavrov said during the exchange before resuming the briefing, as quoted by NDTV.

A sharper warning

A short while later, the interruption happened again, prompting a more pointed response from the minister.

“Can you leave us? I am not joking. If you don't surrender your phone, they will take out the gun,” he said.

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Lavrov was in India to participate in the BRICS Summit, where he also held a series of high-level diplomatic meetings.

Meeting with PM Modi

On Thursday, he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with discussions covering bilateral cooperation as well as major international flashpoints, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Lavrov updated PM Modi on developments in India-Russia cooperation following the meeting between PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in December 2025.

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In a post on X, PM Modi said he welcomed Lavrov’s update on progress under the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between India and Russia.

The two leaders also exchanged views on key geopolitical issues, including Ukraine and West Asia, with PM Modi reiterating India’s long-held position in favour of peaceful resolution through dialogue.

What Jaishankar said

Before his meeting with Modi, Lavrov held bilateral talks on Wednesday with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Their discussions focused on regional and global developments, along with expanding cooperation between New Delhi and Moscow across a range of sectors.

Speaking after the meeting, Jaishankar said the India-Russia partnership has continued to deepen despite growing global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

Lavrov, for his part, said Russia remains committed to backing India’s priorities across major international forums, including BRICS, the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the G20.