EAM Jaishankar to meet Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov amid strained ties with US over oil purchase from Russia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would be meeting with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday, amid strained ties between India an US.

The talks are expected to run across bilateral, regional and global issues, emphasizing on economic resilience and multipolar cooperation.

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In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry said the two leaders will focus on “facilitating the emergence of transport, logistics, banking and financial links and chains that would be immune to any adverse pressures from unfriendly countries”.

The comment signaled at the US and the European Union, which have imposed punitive tariffs and sanctions over the Ukraine war and purchases of Russian oil.

Also on the agenda is “increasing the use of national currencies in their mutual settlements”. The two BRICS members endorsed de-dollarization amid Trump’s aggressive trade policies during the BRICS summit held July 2025.

Jaishankar had made his priorities clear after landing in Moscow for a three-day visit: greater India-Russia engagement to steady ties and offset geopolitical turbulence.

India and Russia should diversify and expand their “agenda” of cooperation through joint ventures and a broader trade basket, he said.

“Doing more and doing differently should be our guiding principles,” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on Wednesday. He urged both countries to avoid being “stuck on old pathways” and encouraged Russian businesses to step up engagement with Indian partners.

His comments come amid strained ties with Washington, following President Trump’s move to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent and impose an additional 25 per cent duty on India’s imports of Russian crude.