Russia backs India's Brics agenda on counter-terrorism, energy and technology
Speaking in an interview ahead of Russian Diplomats' Day on February 10, Lavrov praised India's leadership and priorities. He said India's strong emphasis on counter-terrorism reflects pressing security concerns in several regions.
Russia will actively support India’s chairmanship of Brics and its current agenda, which focusses on counter-terrorism, energy security and emerging technologies, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
India officaly assumed the chairmanship of Brics on January 1, 2026. The coalition now includes 10 members, with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa joined by five new countries in recent years.
Speaking in an interview with TV Brics International Network ahead of Russian Diplomats’ Day on February 10, Lavrov praised India’s leadership and priorities.
"India's chairmanship, in my view, presents a modern, highly relevant agenda that addresses today's challenges while preparing for the future. We will actively support it," he said, as quoted by PTI.
FOCUS ON COUNTER-TERRORISM AND REGIONAL SECURITY
Lavrov said India’s strong emphasis on counter-terrorism reflects pressing security concerns in several regions.
"Terrorist activities are observed in Afghanistan, along its borders, and along the India–Pakistan–Afghanistan corridor, as well as in other hotspots," he said.
"This priority is particularly significant for us, especially as we actively work with India in the UN to advance a global counter-terrorism convention, which is already drafted, although consensus has not yet been reached," Lavrov said, referring to ongoing efforts at the United Nations.
According to him, security cooperation within Brics is becoming more important as instability continues in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
ENERGY, FOOD SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES
Lavrov also highlighted food and energy security as key pillars of India’s Brics agenda.
"Energy security will be particularly important in the context of actions taken by the Trump administration in the global energy sector. These are practical matters with tangible implications," he said, referring to US policies under Donald Trump.
This comes as the US announced it would cut reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from as high as 50 per cent, under a newly agreed interim trade framework between the two countries.
He said India is also placing growing emphasis on digital and technological cooperation.
"India also emphasises ICT security, which we actively support. In the shortly, India will host an artificial intelligence summit, to which Russia is invited, and we are actively contributing to the agenda," Lavrov said.
"This is significant, as norms regulating AI use between states, and AI applications by individual states, are only now being established," he added.
Calling AI governance a serious diplomatic challenge, Lavrov said, "These norms will regulate behaviours that affect security."
He warned that some countries are already integrating artificial intelligence into military systems.
"While each state has the right to determine its own approach, certain countries are already attempting to centralise control Brics members will not accept infringements on their sovereignty, yet transparency remains crucial," he said.
Lavrov said the priorities set by successive Brics chairs reflect long-term continuity rather than abrupt policy shifts.
However, according to him, the bloc is not seeking to dismantle existing global financial institutions.
"We are not advocating for the abolition of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank or the World Trade Organisation," he said.
Russia will actively support India’s chairmanship of Brics and its current agenda, which focusses on counter-terrorism, energy security and emerging technologies, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
India officaly assumed the chairmanship of Brics on January 1, 2026. The coalition now includes 10 members, with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa joined by five new countries in recent years.
Speaking in an interview with TV Brics International Network ahead of Russian Diplomats’ Day on February 10, Lavrov praised India’s leadership and priorities.
"India's chairmanship, in my view, presents a modern, highly relevant agenda that addresses today's challenges while preparing for the future. We will actively support it," he said, as quoted by PTI.
FOCUS ON COUNTER-TERRORISM AND REGIONAL SECURITY
Lavrov said India’s strong emphasis on counter-terrorism reflects pressing security concerns in several regions.
"Terrorist activities are observed in Afghanistan, along its borders, and along the India–Pakistan–Afghanistan corridor, as well as in other hotspots," he said.
"This priority is particularly significant for us, especially as we actively work with India in the UN to advance a global counter-terrorism convention, which is already drafted, although consensus has not yet been reached," Lavrov said, referring to ongoing efforts at the United Nations.
According to him, security cooperation within Brics is becoming more important as instability continues in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
ENERGY, FOOD SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES
Lavrov also highlighted food and energy security as key pillars of India’s Brics agenda.
"Energy security will be particularly important in the context of actions taken by the Trump administration in the global energy sector. These are practical matters with tangible implications," he said, referring to US policies under Donald Trump.
This comes as the US announced it would cut reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from as high as 50 per cent, under a newly agreed interim trade framework between the two countries.
He said India is also placing growing emphasis on digital and technological cooperation.
"India also emphasises ICT security, which we actively support. In the shortly, India will host an artificial intelligence summit, to which Russia is invited, and we are actively contributing to the agenda," Lavrov said.
"This is significant, as norms regulating AI use between states, and AI applications by individual states, are only now being established," he added.
Calling AI governance a serious diplomatic challenge, Lavrov said, "These norms will regulate behaviours that affect security."
He warned that some countries are already integrating artificial intelligence into military systems.
"While each state has the right to determine its own approach, certain countries are already attempting to centralise control Brics members will not accept infringements on their sovereignty, yet transparency remains crucial," he said.
Lavrov said the priorities set by successive Brics chairs reflect long-term continuity rather than abrupt policy shifts.
However, according to him, the bloc is not seeking to dismantle existing global financial institutions.
"We are not advocating for the abolition of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank or the World Trade Organisation," he said.