Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday said India could play the role of a long-term mediator in the ongoing tensions involving Iran and the United States, citing New Delhi’s “vast diplomatic experience” and growing international standing.
Addressing a media briefing after the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, Lavrov said Pakistan was currently helping facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran on immediate concerns, but suggested that India could contribute to broader diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring long-term regional stability.
“Pakistan is helping establish dialogues between the U.S. and Iran to resolve urgent problems. If they seek a long-term mediator between Iran and its Arab friends, this role could be played by India, considering its vast diplomatic experience,” Lavrov said.
His remarks came at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting the United Arab Emirates amid heightened tensions in West Asia and concerns over global energy security.
Lavrov said India, as the current BRICS chair and a major energy consumer, had a direct stake in regional peace and stability.
“India, the BRICS president, is directly interested in receiving oil from this region. Why won’t they offer their services… so they could invite Iran and the United Arab Emirates to start with, to have a conversation with each other to agree on how they can avoid any hostilities between the two countries?” he said.
The Russian Foreign Minister also accused certain countries of attempting to deepen hostility between Iran and its Arab neighbours, while asserting that Moscow was pursuing efforts to reduce tensions.
“And they are trying; other countries are trying to instil this aggression, to instil this hostility in these relations,” he said.
Lavrov described the conflict as “unprovoked aggression by the U.S. and Israel” and said Russia was working “with the opposite goal in mind”, stressing the need for diplomacy and dialogue to prevent further escalation in West Asia.
Referring to India’s diplomatic history, Lavrov highlighted New Delhi’s role in international peace efforts, including during the Korean armistice process, the Suez crisis and the Iran-Iraq war.
He also referred to India’s emphasis on dialogue during its G20 presidency and its advocacy for peaceful resolution of conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war.
Alongside regional security issues, Lavrov also spoke about efforts to deepen economic cooperation between India and Russia and reduce dependence on Western-led financial systems.
Describing India-Russia ties as a “privileged strategic partnership”, he said discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Modi focused on insulating bilateral trade from what he termed “unfriendly pressure from third countries”.
The discussions included plans to develop independent financial and trade mechanisms, strengthen transport connectivity and achieve a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030.
Lavrov said the talks built upon decisions taken during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held in New Delhi in December 2025.
Prime Minister Modi, who met the Russian Foreign Minister on Thursday, reiterated India’s support for peaceful resolution of conflicts and exchanged views on developments in Ukraine and West Asia.
“We also exchanged views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia. Reiterated our consistent support for efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of conflicts,” PM Modi said in a post on X after the meeting.
-ANI
