EAM Jaishankar speaks to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov amid oil supply crunch

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the conflict in West Asia on Wednesday, even as India raised importing crude oil from the former Soviet Union nation after the United States granted it a 30-day waiver.

“A good telecon with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Shared our assessments on the West Asia conflict and related diplomatic efforts. Also took stock of our bilateral cooperation agenda,” Jaishankar posted on X after speaking to his counterpart in Moscow.

India raised its imports of oil from Russia after the US granted it a waiver for 30 days to allow it to buy crude from the former Soviet Union nation.

The waiver came amid fear of disruption in the energy supply to India from several Gulf Cooperation Council nations in the wake of the attack on Iran by Israel and the United States.

Lavrov and Jaishankar exchanged views on the situation around Iran, emphasising the need for its prompt normalisation, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Russia. “They underscored support for the contribution of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS to efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation and creating conditions for achieving a sustainable settlement based on a balance of the legitimate interests of all parties.”

They also discussed certain aspects of the bilateral agenda, including the schedule of upcoming political contacts.

“Useful discussion with EU HRVP @kajakallas on the West Asia conflict and its repercussions,” Jaishankar posted on X after speaking with the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, on Wednesday. He also discussed the conflict during a phone call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.