Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov strongly defended India’s sovereign right to pursue independent trade and energy decisions , dismissing concerns over US secondary sanctions for buying Russian oil. He also backed New Delhi’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Lavrov stressed Moscow’s longstanding ties with New Delhi, calling it a "particularly privileged strategic partnership."

Lavrov's response comes amid US President Donald Trump's repeated warning to impose secondary sanctions on countries , including India, that continue to purchase Russian oil. In his address at UNGA, Trump criticised Europe, China, and India for buying Russian oil, saying, "China and India are the

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