Lavrov called the destruction of ties between Russia and India impossible.

The relations between India and Russia are so rich and diverse that they cannot be destroyed. This was stated on May 13 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with RT India.

"There is no one word to describe this relationship. Not because human languages are not eloquent, but simply because it is difficult to imagine such rich relationships. There is also no situation where our paths would have parted. It is simply impossible to do this," the Russian Foreign Minister said.

Lavrov recalled that friendship between Russia and India began with India's independence. From the very beginning, Indian leaders visited the USSR, and the leaders of the Soviet Union visited India, which laid a solid foundation in the form of trusting personal relations between the countries. In the 1950s and 1980s, the popular slogan "Hindi Rus bhai bhai" — "Indians and Russians are brothers" about friendship between the two peoples — even appeared.

"Hindi rusi bhai bhai" is not just such a funny slogan, it has already become a part of our culture. Indian cinema, Raj Kapoor, recent TV series, films — they are very popular in Russia, and everywhere. <...> And the most important thing, as I have already said, is the feelings of the peoples towards each other. So I think those who are trying to worry about the future of Russian-Indian friendship should not worry," the diplomat stressed.

Lavrov recalled that in parallel with friendship and cultural ties, a serious material basis for partnership relations between India and the USSR was being laid.

"From the very beginning, India was extremely interested in military-technical cooperation. <...> We started cooperation with India as a "seller and buyer." Now the situation has changed dramatically: We are no longer just selling weapons and equipment to India. We are selling less and less because we are gradually moving to joint production," he said.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation is developing in parallel. Russia and India alternately host film festivals, cross-cultural weeks, and other bilateral cultural events.

"We are holding meetings of representatives of the academic circles of the two countries. Indian students study in Russia. We encourage this in every possible way. Thus, Russian-Indian relations continue to be the most important stabilizing factor in the region and the world," the minister concluded.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 15 that India is an important partner for Russia in the field of energy supplies. He clarified that Russian-Indian relations are not limited only to oil supplies, as this is a "multifaceted cooperation," and Moscow hopes that its scope will only expand in the future.

Last December, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia in 2026 to participate in the XXIV annual Russian-Indian summit. He stated that Russia and India are working hand in hand in establishing a just multipolar world and expressed confidence in the agreements reached with India.