Russian FM Lavrov Plans India Visit for BRICS Ministerial, Bilateral Talks with Jaishankar

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to visit India in May to participate in the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting, according to Russian officials. The visit, reported by state media citing Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, will coincide with key discussions under India’s presidency of the bloc.

The BRICS ministerial meeting is scheduled for May 14–15 and is expected to shape the agenda and draft key documents for the upcoming summit. Officials indicated that Lavrov’s trip will also include bilateral engagements, including meetings with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other senior leaders, aimed at strengthening diplomatic coordination between the two countries.

India is currently chairing BRICS in 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The approach reflects a people-centric vision outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025. The ministerial meeting is expected to play a crucial role in advancing this agenda and fostering collaboration among member nations.

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Earlier this month, Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to deepening ties with Russia and strengthening multilateral cooperation through forums such as BRICS, the SCO, G20, and the United Nations. Speaking at a conference on India-Russia relations, he emphasized the importance of a balanced and inclusive framework to address shared global challenges in an evolving multipolar world order.

BRICS, originally formed as BRIC in 2006 and expanded to include South Africa in 2010, has grown significantly in recent years. New full members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia, have joined since 2024, while several countries have been added as partner nations, reflecting the bloc’s increasing global influence.

Lavrov’s planned visit underscores the continued strategic partnership between India and Russia, as well as the growing importance of BRICS as a platform for cooperation among emerging economies. The upcoming ministerial meeting is expected to set the tone for broader discussions at the summit later this year.

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