Lavrov, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day official visit, also lauded independent Indian foreign policy and discussed a myriad of issues including, US pressure on India
On India's view on the Ukraine crisis, he said that India's foreign policy is guided by its independent position
India may end up testing US and European Union tolerance if it agrees to rupee-ruble trade using Russia's communication channel SPFS to move funds
External Affairs Minister says meeting being held in 'difficult international environment'.
India also gets offer of rupee-ruble-denominated payments
Lavrov, who arrived on Thursday on a two-day official visit, is expected to meet and hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday
Amid mounting sanctions on 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 is offering India steep discounts on the direct sale of oil as mounting international pressure lowers the appetite for its barrels elsewhere, Bloomberg reports
Since the start of the war, India has been facing pressure from the West and its allies to take a stronger stand against Russia
It would be the highest-level visit from Russia to India after Moscow launched its military offensive against Ukraine on February 24
"India will import more items from Russia, especially if it is at a discount," one senior Indian government official said
It would be the highest-level visit from Russia to India after Moscow launched its military offensive against Ukraine on February 24
This marks the first purchase of Sokol crude by HPCL. BPCL had previously purchased the grade in 2016
India is exploring a rupee-rouble trade mechanism with Russia to circumvent the sanctions on Moscow by the US and its allies. What are the options and how feasible will they be in the long run?
How's the rupee-ruble trade mechanism shaping up? How is Sri Lanka's economic crisis affecting India? More pain ahead for FMCG stocks? What is a payment gateway? Find all answers here
Payments are likely to be settled in rupee pegged to dollar
GAIL has a long-term gas import deal with Gazprom Marketing & Trading Singapore to annually buy 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas and has been settling trade with Gazprom in dollars
The US and several Western countries have imposed crippling economic sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine
Foreign ministry responds to a question whether the Ukraine war had affected relationship.
'Historical relationships notwithstanding, we are a partner of choice for India now,' says US State Department.