Image Credit: X account @ShashiTharoor
Tharoor Meets Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow during the ongoing Primakov Readings summit, a key international conference on foreign policy and global security. The meeting highlighted efforts to strengthen India-Russia relations and revive the long-dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) dialogue platform.
Tharoor shared news of the meeting with a message on social media: “Good to catch up with old friend Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the #PrimakovReadings in Moscow.” The tone of the exchange reflected both diplomatic familiarity and shared interests in regional and global stability.
Tharoor and Lavrov Discuss Strategic Partnership
During the interaction, the two leaders reviewed the status of the “privileged strategic partnership” between India and Russia. Lavrov expressed particular interest in reinvigorating the RIC trilateral format—a diplomatic initiative originally conceived by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov to promote multipolar cooperation in Eurasia. While acknowledging that RIC activities had slowed in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and regional tensions, Lavrov conveyed hope that conditions were now ripe for revival.
Tharoor, as Chairman of India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, plays a significant role in shaping the country’s foreign policy discourse. His visit to Moscow came just weeks after an Indian cross-party delegation visited several countries in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Dialogue on Global Security and Multilateralism
In addition to his meeting with Lavrov, Tharoor held talks with senior members of Russia’s parliament and diplomatic community. These included discussions on terrorism, cyber-security, inter-parliamentary cooperation, and regional stability within broader frameworks like BRICS.
At the Primakov Readings, Tharoor participated in high-level panels addressing geopolitical realignments and global governance challenges. Russian interlocutors expressed appreciation for India’s balanced global posture, particularly its emphasis on strategic autonomy and dialogue-led diplomacy.
Path Ahead for RIC and Bilateral Engagement
Both Lavrov and Tharoor acknowledged that reactivating the RIC dialogue would offer a vital forum for confidence-building, especially as regional powers navigate complex relationships amid shifting global alliances. As security challenges grow more transnational, renewed India-Russia-China engagement could offer a platform for coordinated approaches to terrorism, trade, and multipolar cooperation.
Tharoor’s Moscow visit, though officially framed around a policy summit, has reinforced India’s commitment to maintaining robust diplomatic channels with traditional partners like Russia—while also promoting multilateral platforms that serve regional and global interests. His meetings are being viewed as timely steps toward shaping India’s role in future global negotiations.
