Brazil, 6 July 2025 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio. This meeting builds on their previous engagement in Johannesburg and advances India–Russia cooperation across several arenas.
Bilateral Cooperation Update
The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in economic, security, and technical domains. Russia’s Foreign Ministry posted on X that “Rossiya’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India @DrSJaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the XVII #BRICS Summit.” They also revisited the progress made since their February meeting in Johannesburg.
Shared Views on Terrorism and Global Security
During the BRICS session on “Peace and Security,” Prime Minister Modi stressed that “condemning terrorism should be our principle, not just a convenience.” He described terrorism as the “most serious challenge for humanity” and cited the April 22 Pahalgam attack as a “blow to the soul, identity, and dignity of India,” while expressing gratitude to countries that supported India. The MEA added that PM Modi urged BRICS to strengthen the global fight against terrorism and called for reform of global institutions, emphasizing multipolar representation for the Global South.
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Summit Atmosphere and Diplomatic Context
The BRICS Summit, chaired by Brazil, included leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia. Jaishankar’s meeting with Lavrov followed attending sessions addressing West Asia, global governance reform, and security cooperation.
Strategic Significance of the Engagement
This meeting underscores the continuing India–Russia strategic partnership within the expanding BRICS bloc. At the summit, both ministers explored channels for sustained political dialogue, economic alignment, and regional coordination on security matters. The exchange reiterates shared goals in multilateral forums like BRICS and SCO.
