Russia to support Brics agenda under India’s chairmanship, says Lavrov

Russia backs India’s Brics agenda on counter-terrorism, energy and technology: Lavrov

• Russia supports India's Brics leadership and focus on counter-terrorism and tech.
• India's Brics agenda includes energy, food security, and AI cooperation
• Lavrov says Brics supports sovereignty and global security norms

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Russia will actively support India’s chairmanship of Brics and its current agenda, which focuses on counter-terrorism, energy security and emerging technologies, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

India formally assumed the Brics chairmanship on January 1, 2026. The bloc now comprises 10 members, with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa joined by five additional 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 described its priorities as forward-looking.

"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.

Counter-terrorism a key priority

Lavrov said India’s strong emphasis on counter-terrorism reflects pressing regional and global security challenges, particularly in South Asia and neighbouring 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. He added that counter-terrorism cooperation is especially important for Moscow, noting ongoing joint efforts at the United Nations.

"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. According to him, security cooperation within Brics is gaining importance amid continued instability in parts of Asia and the Middle East.

Energy, food security and emerging technologies

Lavrov also highlighted food and energy security as central elements of India’s Brics agenda, describing them as issues with immediate global implications.

"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. The comments come amid shifting global trade and energy dynamics, including recent adjustments to US tariffs on Indian goods under a new interim trade framework.

Lavrov said India is also placing increasing emphasis on digital and technological cooperation, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence.

"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," he said. He described global AI governance as an emerging diplomatic challenge.

"This is significant, as norms regulating AI use between states, and AI applications by individual states, are only now being established," he added. Calling these norms critical to future security frameworks, Lavrov said, "These norms will regulate behaviours that affect security."

Sovereignty concerns and global institutions

Lavrov warned that some countries are already integrating artificial intelligence into military systems, raising concerns among Brics members.

"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.

He also stressed that Brics 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," Lavrov said. According to him, the priorities set by successive Brics chairmanships reflect long-term continuity rather than abrupt shifts, with India’s leadership reinforcing that approach.