Addressing a media briefing after the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, Lavrov highlighted India’s diplomatic experience and growing global standing amid growing concerns over instability in West Asia and disruption in global energy supplies.
He said, “Pakistan is helping to establish dialogue between the US and Iran to resolve urgent problems. If they look for a long-term mediator between Iran and its Arab friends, this is a role India can play given its vast diplomatic experience.”
Lavrov’s comments come at a time when India is actively engaging with the Gulf countries amid prolonged regional conflict, rising crude oil prices and fears of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a global energy shipping route vital for Indian imports.
The Russian Foreign Minister also highlighted India’s direct stake in ensuring stability in the region, especially as the current BRICS Chair and one of the world’s largest energy consumers.
Referring to India’s possible diplomatic role, Lavrov said, “India, the BRICS chair, is directly interested in getting oil from the region. Why would they not offer their services, including as the country currently chairing the BRICS, so that they can initially invite Iran, the UAE, so that they can negotiate with each other on how they can avoid any hostilities between the two countries?”
During the briefing, Lavrov stressed that BRICS as an organization should not formally act as a mediator, but said individual member states could play a constructive diplomatic role in reducing tensions.
“The most important thing is to end this. I don’t think BRICS should be a mediating organization, but individual BRICS members, especially those who are interested in ensuring that there are no problems with navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, can help,” he said through a translator.
Without naming any countries, Lavrov also accused some countries of attempting to deepen hostility between Iran and Arab countries, while claiming that Russia was making efforts aimed at reducing tensions and encouraging dialogue.
He said, “And they are trying; other countries are trying to create this aggression, trying to create this hostility in these relations. I believe that this hostility, this aggression against Iran, was motivated, among other things, to antagonize Iran and its Arab neighbors.”
“We need to understand the root causes of every conflict, here it is the unprovoked aggression of the US and Israel,” Lavrov said.
The remarks came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UAE during a five-nation tour focused on strengthening India’s strategic, energy and economic ties with the Gulf and European countries.
Lavrov also confirmed that PM Modi will visit Russia later this year for the upcoming BRICS summit, adding that preparations for the high-level meeting are already underway.
Lavrov said, “We are preparing for the BRICS summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday again confirmed that this year it is his turn to visit the Russian Federation. We will prepare for this top-level summit.”
Highlighting the comprehensive India-Russia partnership, the Russian Foreign Minister said that cooperation between the two countries continues to expand in a number of areas, including energy, trade and financial transactions.
“Our agreement with India is moving away from the dollar to using national currencies and currencies of other countries that do not abuse their positions in global financial institutions,” he said.
Lavrov’s remarks also focused on India’s long-term history of diplomatic mediation and peacekeeping efforts, including its role in the Korean armistice, Suez crisis, Iran-Iraq war and various UN-led initiatives.
India has increasingly projected itself as a neutral global player advocating dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution as part of its broader ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ foreign policy approach.
