Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov brought an unexpected burst of humor to the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday after confronting a man using a phone nearby. Lavrov first asked him to step away, then sharpened his tone when he didn’t comply. Staff reportedly tried to take the device as the man resisted. Breaking the tension, Lavrov added that if the phone wasn’t surrendered, “they will take out the gun,” prompting laughter as the serious diplomatic session continued. Videos went viral.
Russia has publicly backed India’s BRICS leadership and its proposed agenda, viewing it as vital amid growing differences within the bloc over the West Asia conflict. India’s push to bring parties to dialogue is being treated as a key step. The West Asia discussion will stay on the agenda as BRICS foreign ministers meet in New Delhi, with Sergey Lavrov set to visit Delhi and meet S Jaishankar.
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