Jaishankar meets Lavrov at UNGA 2026, reviews BRICS agenda
Synopsis
On the sidelines of UNGA 81 in New York, EAM Jaishankar held a 'good meeting' with Russian FM Lavrov, reviewing BRICS cooperation and bilateral ties — a pointed signal that India's diplomatic balancing act between Moscow and the West remains firmly in place despite ongoing global turbulence.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar met Russian FM Sergey Lavrov on 25 September 2026 on the sidelines of UNGA 81 in New York .
Jaishankar described it as a 'good meeting', covering 'several ongoing issues' and the state of India-Russia bilateral relations.
The two sides reviewed cooperation within the BRICS grouping, which has recently expanded its membership.
The meeting underlines India's intent to maintain dialogue with Moscow amid the continuing Ukraine conflict and shifting global alignments.
Jaishankar's UNGA 81 schedule includes multiple bilateral meetings focused on climate, counter-terrorism, and Global South priorities.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday, 25 September 2026 held a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Jaishankar described the talks as a 'good meeting', noting that the two sides exchanged views on 'several ongoing issues' and reviewed both bilateral relations and cooperation within the BRICS grouping.
What Was Discussed
According to Jaishankar's post on X, the conversation spanned the current state of India-Russia strategic ties, covering areas such as energy security, defence collaboration, and coordination at multilateral platforms. The two ministers also reviewed BRICS-related cooperation, which has taken on added significance following the bloc's recent membership expansion.
Diplomatic observers noted that the interaction underlined New Delhi's intent to sustain dialogue with Moscow even as the Ukraine conflict continues to reshape global alignments and deepen fault lines in the international order.
India's Balancing Act
India has consistently maintained that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than military escalation. That position has allowed New Delhi to preserve working relationships with both Russia — a longstanding strategic partner in defence and energy — and Western nations, including its Quad partners.
Notably, Jaishankar and Lavrov have met at several multilateral forums over the past year, including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Their discussions have routinely addressed regional security, bilateral trade, and positions on reforming global financial institutions.
BRICS Dimension
The specific reference to the BRICS agenda carries weight at this juncture. The grouping, which recently admitted new member states, is increasingly being positioned as an alternative forum for the Global South on issues ranging from technology transfer and the energy transition to reform of the UN Security Council. India and Russia, as founding members, have historically coordinated their stances within the bloc.
India's Broader UNGA Calendar
The Jaishankar-Lavrov meeting is one of several bilateral engagements the External Affairs Minister has lined up at UNGA 81. His diplomatic calendar in New York is expected to include talks focused on climate finance, counter-terrorism, and reinforcing India's standing as a leading voice for developing nations. The flurry of meetings reflects India's increasingly proactive posture in multilateral diplomacy as it seeks a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and greater weight in global governance architecture.
Point of View
Not a routine courtesy. India keeps the Russia channel open not out of sentiment but out of strategic necessity — Moscow remains a critical supplier of defence hardware and discounted crude. What mainstream coverage underplays is the BRICS thread: as the bloc expands and the Global South coalesces around it, India's ability to shape BRICS outcomes from within requires exactly this kind of sustained ministerial engagement with Russia. The harder question — how long India can straddle Moscow and Washington as the Ukraine war enters a decisive phase — goes unanswered in the readout, and that is precisely the tension worth watching.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jaishankar and Lavrov discuss at UNGA 2026?
Jaishankar and Lavrov met on 25 September 2026 on the sidelines of UNGA 81 in New York, exchanging views on 'several ongoing issues' and reviewing the state of India-Russia bilateral relations as well as cooperation within the BRICS grouping. Jaishankar described the meeting as a 'good meeting' in a post on X.
Why is India maintaining dialogue with Russia at UNGA?
India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes, and New Delhi views its strategic partnership with Moscow — covering defence, energy security, and multilateral coordination — as a national interest priority. Diplomatic observers say the meeting signals India's intent to balance ties with Russia alongside its relationships with Western partners.
What is the significance of the BRICS discussion between Jaishankar and Lavrov?
BRICS has grown in importance following its recent membership expansion, and India and Russia are founding members who regularly coordinate positions within the bloc. Their UNGA discussions on BRICS reflect the grouping's rising role in shaping global economic governance and providing a platform for the Global South.
How often do Jaishankar and Lavrov meet?
The two foreign ministers have met regularly at international forums, including BRICS summits and SCO meetings. Their bilateral conversations typically cover regional security, trade, and multilateral institutional reform, making the UNGA sideline meeting consistent with an established diplomatic pattern.
What else is on Jaishankar's diplomatic agenda at UNGA 81?
Beyond the Lavrov meeting, Jaishankar is holding bilateral talks with counterparts from multiple countries at UNGA 81 in New York. His engagements are expected to focus on climate finance, counter-terrorism, and reinforcing India's position as a key voice for developing nations and for UN Security Council reform.
