Русский
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, met with the Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers’ meetings in Tianjin, China. The two foreign ministers engaged in a comprehensive discussion on pivotal bilateral and international issues, as well as the forthcoming schedule of diplomatic engagements. They reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the multifaceted Russia-India special and privileged strategic partnership at all levels. Particular focus was also given to the situation around Ukraine and the ongoing developments in the Middle East.
Both sides agreed to continue to align their strategies for Russia-India cooperation within key multilateral frameworks, and discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international security issues. Both Russia and India are full members of the BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. They are also involved in negotiating a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
In 2024, Russia and India achieved a record bilateral trade turnover of US$70.6 billion, marking a 9.2% increase compared to 2023, according to Sberbank. Russian exports to India reached US$65.7 billion, driven by agricultural products, while Indian exports to Russia were US$4.9 billion. This surge in trade is partly attributed to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and a diversification of imports, alongside a strategic partnership.
US Senator Linday Graham has been highly critical of India as part of his campaign to increase sanctions pressure on Russia. Earlier this week, he described India as ‘despicable’ for continuing to purchase Russian gas and then re-sell it. Graham also singled our China and Brazil for secondary sanctions should these take effect ‘within 50 days’.
The combined international dollar purchasing value of China, India and Brazil in GDP terms is US$60 trillion, slightly more than double the United States value of US$29 trillion. Should the sanctions take effect, they will come into operation at about the time of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation heads of state summit, also to be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. China’s President Xi Jinping will host the event, with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and India’s Prime Minister Modi all attending together with other SCO members heads of state. A SCO-Plus event is also to be held, as is a huge Chinese military parade on September 3 to mark the end of World War II in Asia.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian security, humanitarian and trade group. It was originally established in 2001 to deal with the issue of American involvement in Afghanistan; but has now expanded its remit to cover a far wider geopolitical remit. Full members include Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan and Mongolia are observers, while Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cambodia, Egypt, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and the UAE are dialogue partners.
Further Reading
Russia Preparing For Key Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Heads Of State Meetings
