Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday criticised the United States and accused it of trying to interfere in Russia’s relations with India and other key partners. In an interview with TV BRICS, he said Washington is attempting to shape Russia’s partnerships in areas such as trade and military-technical cooperation. His remarks come at a time when global geopolitical tensions are rising.

Lavrov said the US is trying to influence Russia’s connections with important strategic countries. He claimed that American pressure also affects India’s defence and economic decisions as part of a larger plan.

He said Washington is trying to “control our trade, investment cooperation, and military-technical ties with major strategic partners, such as India and other BRICS members,” highlighting what he described as growing US involvement in global partnerships.

Criticism of US Economic Strategy

While speaking about strained relations with Western nations, Lavrov also criticised what he called America’s push for economic dominance. He said that although the US often talks about cooperation, its actions show a different approach.

According to him, sanctions and limits on energy and trade have had a strong impact on many countries.

“In practice, however, the opposite occurs: new sanctions are imposed, attacks on tankers are staged in international waters in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and India and other partners are discouraged from purchasing affordable Russian energy,” he said.

Lavrov described these steps as part of a larger effort by Washington to shape global relations and reduce Russia’s influence, especially in groups like BRICS. He said, “Thus, in the economic sphere, the United States has effectively declared a goal of economic domination,” and added that Russia is looking for alternative ways to strengthen cooperation with its partners.

Focus on India-Russia Strategic Ties

Lavrov’s comments also underlined Russia’s long-standing focus on its partnership with India. Moscow has often acknowledged India’s independent foreign policy and strong historical ties with Russia. This continues even as India increases cooperation with Western countries.

Russia has also said that India’s relationship with the United States or any other nation does not affect or define its own ties with New Delhi.