Why did Russian FM Sergey Lavrov say ‘If you don't surrender your phone, they will take out a gun’ during Delhi press conference? Watch video

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov left the room in splits during a press conference in Delhi. He made a humorous remark to a cameraperson whose mobile phone was constantly buzzing during his presser in the national capital.

As the Russian foreign minister was addressing reporters, a phone in the media section repeatedly buzzed, briefly interrupting the proceedings. Reacting to the disturbance, Lavrov jokingly said, “Sir, if you don't surrender your phone, they will take out a gun.” The dramatic exchange quickly went viral online and also evoked laughter in the room.

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The comment triggered various reactions from the social media users and one user wrote, "In India it's a joke, in Russia it's a real warning." "On a serious note, Media personnel must be taught some basic etiquettes beforehand," commented another.

"A light humorous moment at a serious diplomatic briefing, briefly breaking the formal tone before proceedings continued," wrote another. "Lavrov threatening reporters with guns as jokes. Different kind of diplomatic humour," another user commented.


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Russian crude supplies to India increased

As India awaits US waiver extension on sanctioned Russian crude, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday said Moscow has increased oil supplies to New Delhi.

Lavrov said the rise in Russian oil shipments to India was "not a secret" and part of publicly available trade data. "It is not a secret data or statistics. We published it and oil supplies to India increased." The minister was speaking to a select group of media following the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi.

The US waiver allowing India to continue purchasing Russian oil amid severe logistical challenges in sourcing crude from the Gulf due to the Iran conflict is set to expire on Saturday. Russia continues to remain one of India’s key oil suppliers.

During his three-day visit to India, Sergey Lavrov held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Dr S. Jaishankar on a range of regional and global issues, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. The talks also covered energy trade, joint defence production, and assurances regarding the supply of fertilisers and coking coal.

Lavrov described the discussions as part of ongoing efforts to deepen the “privileged strategic partnership” between India and Russia despite increasing Western sanctions and economic pressure. “During the talks with FM Jaishankar and during a lengthy conversation with PM Modi, we discussed the key areas of our privileged strategic partnership,” he said.

Backing India’s diplomatic role, Lavrov said that while Pakistan was currently helping facilitate dialogue between the US and Iran, India could emerge as a long-term mediator because of its diplomatic experience. He also suggested that India could invite Iran and the UAE for talks aimed at ending the ongoing hostilities.

India and Russia share a longstanding strategic partnership spanning defence, energy, trade, nuclear cooperation and multilateral engagement. The meeting comes amid continued diplomatic consultations between the two countries on regional security and global geopolitical developments.