External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, where the two leaders discussed a range of key issues including India-Russia cooperation, developments in West Asia, and multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
“Good to meet with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia on the sidelines of #BRICS2025. Discussed bilateral cooperation, West Asia, BRICS and SCO,” Jaishankar posted on X following the meeting.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the interaction, sharing a photo and noting the continued dialogue between the two longstanding partners. The meeting builds on their previous discussions held in Johannesburg earlier this year.
The leaders are in Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit, hosted under Brazil’s 2025 Chairship. Alongside founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the summit also included newly inducted members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia, marking BRICS’ expanding global footprint.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the summit session on Peace and Security, underscored the need for a unified global approach against terrorism. Citing the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, PM Modi called for unwavering international solidarity.
“Terrorism has become the most serious challenge for humanity today,” the Prime Minister said. “The Pahalgam attack was not only a blow to India but to all of humanity. Condemning terrorism should be our principle, not a convenience.”
He also reiterated India’s gratitude to friendly nations for their support following the attack.
The summit reaffirmed BRICS’ commitment to a multipolar world and included discussions on reforming global institutions, promoting equitable development, and expanding cooperation in areas such as climate finance, AI governance, and public health.
