S Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks in New Delhi on Wednesday, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation in areas including energy, trade, connectivity and technology ahead of the BRICS foreign ministers’ conclave beginning Thursday. The meeting took place shortly after Lavrov arrived in the Indian capital to attend the two-day gathering of BRICS member nations.

The discussions are understood to have covered key geopolitical developments, including the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, alongside broader multilateral cooperation. In a social media post following the meeting, Jaishankar described the interaction as a “productive exchange of views” and said the two sides discussed several aspects of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

According to Jaishankar, the talks focused on strengthening collaboration in trade and investment, energy security, science and technology, and improving the mobility of skilled professionals between the two countries. He also emphasized the importance of political cooperation between India and Russia amid what he described as an “uncertain and volatile global environment.” It was not immediately clear whether India’s continued procurement of Russian crude oil was specifically discussed during the talks.

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In his televised opening remarks, Jaishankar said India and Russia shared an interest in promoting a multipolar global order and enhancing “de-risking” strategies in international economic relations. He noted that economic and energy ties between the two countries had grown significantly in recent years while cooperation in areas such as connectivity, science and technology had also deepened.

Alongside his meeting with Lavrov, Jaishankar held separate bilateral discussions with Mauro Vieira, Ozzy Lamola and Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam. Jaishankar said he reiterated India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy during his talks with the Maldives delegation and reaffirmed New Delhi’s support for the island nation’s development.

India is hosting the BRICS foreign ministers’ conclave as the current chair of the grouping ahead of the annual BRICS summit scheduled for September. BRICS, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded in recent years to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. The grouping now represents nearly half of the world’s population and a substantial share of global GDP and trade, reinforcing its growing influence in international affairs.

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