MOSCOW — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned on Saturday that NATO is seeking to reestablish its presence in Afghanistan under the guise of promoting security and stability, accusing the Western military alliance of reviving its influence in the region through new approaches.
Speaking at the Eurasian Forum in the Russian city of Perm, Lavrov said the U.S.-led alliance is once again positioning itself in Central and South Asia, echoing long-standing Kremlin concerns about NATO’s strategic ambitions near Russia’s borders.
Lavrov also delivered a pointed critique of India’s growing ties with Western blocs, particularly its engagement in the Quad alliance and the broader Indo-Pacific strategy. He argued that such frameworks are designed to counterbalance China and draw India into a confrontational posture in Asia.
“These are Western-centric constructs aimed at containing China and pulling India into a divisive role in the region,” Lavrov said.
The Russian diplomat revealed that Indian officials had previously assured Moscow their involvement in the Quad was limited to economic cooperation. He made the comments in the presence of a 12-member Indian delegation at the forum, including three representatives of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
However, Lavrov questioned those assurances, pointing to India’s participation in joint military exercises with Western partners — a move that, according to Russian sources, surprised the Indian delegation in Perm.
