This is his first trip to the country since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for early cessation of violence in Ukraine and expressed India's readiness to contribute to the peace efforts to resolve the conflict, during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The high-level talks took place in the backdrop of indications that India could buy greater volumes of discounted Russian oil and both sides were keen on having a ruble-rupee arrangement for bilateral trade.
Earlier in the day, Mr Lavrov held a meeting a External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
The Russian foreign minister arrived in India after concluding a two-day visit to China. Mr Lavrov's visit to India coincides with that of US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Here are the Highlights on the Russian Foreign Minister's India Visit:
Just in: Russian Foreign Minister meets PM Modi.
Bloomberg has reported that Russia is offering India its flagship Urals grade at discounts of as much as $35 a barrel on prices before the war. Russia wants India to take 15 million barrels contracted for this year just to begin with, Bloomberg reported.
US pressure will not affect India-Russia ties, says Moscow
Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister today categorically stated that US pressure will not affect the partnership between India and Russia.
"Have no doubt pressure doesn't affect partnership, I have no doubt no pressure will affect our partnership... They (US) are forcing others to follow their politics," said Lavrov in New Delhi while replying to a question by ANI about US pressure affecting India-Russia ties.
Russia on Rupee-Rouble payment system for trade
Sergey Lavrov said a rupee-rouble payment system for trade with India was put into place earlier and it could be strengthened further.
"More and more transactions will be done using national currencies and bypassing dollar-based system," he told a select group of reporters.
India is important country. If India sees to play that role which provides resolution of problem. If India is with its position of just and rational approach to international problems, it can support such process: Russian Foreign Minister on possibility of India becoming a mediator between Moscow-Kyiv.
"It's a special operation": Russian Foreign Minister on Ukraine conflictIt is a special operation, military infrastructure is being targeted. The aim is to deprive the Kyiv regime from building the capacity to present any threat to Russia, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister on oil supply offer to India
If India wants to buy anything from us, we are ready to discuss and reach mutually acceptable cooperation, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister on West sanctions
For many years, there is an anti-Russia campaign and we are trying to counter that. We are fine, our partners are also fine: Russian Foreign Minister
Russia-India good friends and loyal partners: Sergey Lavrov
I believe that Indian foreign policies are characterised by independence & the concentration on real national legitimate interests. The same policy based in the Russian Federation & this makes us, as big countries, good friends & loyal partners, said Russian Foreign Minister
Russian Foreign Minster on how they can support India in terms of security challenges
Talks are characterised by relations which we developed with India for many decades. Relations are strategic partnerships. This was basis on which we've been promoting our cooperation in all areas: Russian Foreign Minster
Russian Foreign Minister Wants To "Deliver A Message Personally" To PM ModiForeign Minister S Jaishankar held talks today with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov amid intense international pressure over Russian oil imports, with the US warning of "consequences" for countries attempting to circumvent American sanctions against Moscow.
The high-level talks took place amid indications that India could buy greater volumes of discounted Russian oil and both sides were keen on having a rouble-rupee arrangement for bilateral trade. Read More
Prefer resolving disputes through diplomacy: S Jaishankar
Our bilateral relations have continued to grow in many areas. Our meeting takes place in a difficult international environment quite apart from the pandemic. India has always been in favour of resolving disputes through diplomacy, said S Jaishankar
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov meets External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
S Jaishankar's Terse "Campaign" Remark On Row Over India Buying Russia OilIndia on Thursday defended its decision to look for "good deals" for its energy requirement amid volatility in the market, while pointing out that Europe has been a major buyer of Russian oil and gas even after the crisis in Ukraine unfolded.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made the remarks in the presence of visiting British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss at the India-UK Strategic Futures Forum, shortly after holding extensive talks with her on a range of issues, including the situation in Ukraine.
Read More India to allow Russia to invest, borrow from domestic market amid sanctions on MoscowIn the face of mounting sanctions against Russia for launching military operations in Ukraine, India in line with its old ties and friendly relations will allow Moscow to invest and borrow in the domestic market.
Russia has been hit by multiple sanctions following its military operations in Ukraine. Countries around the world are imposing fresh sanctions against Russia.
The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have banned certain Russian banks from SWIFT, the high-security network that facilitates payments among 11,000 financial institutions in 200 countries. Earlier, Germany halted certification of the 'Nord Stream 2' gas pipeline, following Moscow's actions in Ukraine.
India defends looking at energy supplies from RussiaIndia on Thursday defended its decision to look for "good deals" for its energy requirement amid volatility in the market, while pointing out that Europe has been a major buyer of Russian oil and gas even after the crisis in Ukraine unfolded.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made the remarks in the presence of visiting British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss at the India-UK Strategic Futures Forum, shortly after holding extensive talks with her on a range of issues, including the situation in Ukraine.
"When the oil prices go up, I think it is natural for countries to go out into the market and look for what are the good deals for their people," Jaishankar said.
Russia's Foreign Minister expected to meet PM ModiRussia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today
Daleep Singh has productive conversations in India: White House
Top Indian-American US advisor and a key architect of Washington's punitive economic sanctions against Moscow, Daleep Singh, has had productive conversations with his Indian counterparts, the White House said Thursday.
Singh was in India on March 30 and 31 to discuss the consequences of Russia's "unjustified war" against Ukraine and the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
US not seeking to change India-Russia ties, says Ned PriceAs Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is on a two-day official visit to India, the US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Thursday (local time) said that every country has its own relationship with Moscow and Washington is not seeking any change in that.
"Different countries are going to have their own relationship with the Russian Federation. It's a fact of history. It's a fact of geography. That is not something that we are seeking to change," Price said during a press briefing.