S. Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New Delhi on Wednesday ahead of the two-day BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting hosted by India.

The meeting focused on strengthening India-Russia cooperation in areas including energy and trade, while the two leaders also exchanged views on major global developments.

Lavrov arrived in the national capital to participate in the BRICS foreign ministers’ conclave beginning Thursday. Ministers and delegates from several BRICS member countries, including Brazil and South Africa, are attending the discussions chaired by India.

In a social media post after the meeting, Jaishankar described the interaction as a “productive exchange of views” with his Russian counterpart. Reports said the talks also covered the ongoing West Asia tensions and the Ukraine conflict.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the discussions were expected to review progress on bilateral agreements and preparations for upcoming high-level engagements between the two countries.

The BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi is likely to focus on regional security, global governance reforms, energy security and economic cooperation among member nations. The ongoing conflict in West Asia is also expected to feature prominently during the deliberations.

Prateek Yadav, son of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and half-brother of Akhilesh Yadav, died due to cardiorespiratory collapse caused by a massive pulmonary thromboembolism, according to post-mortem findings reported in Lucknow.

The post-mortem examination also found six antemortem injuries on his body. The injuries were reported on the chest, under the right arm, right forearm, right elbow joint, over the elbow and left wrist. Doctors noted that three of the injuries were around five to seven days old, while the remaining injuries were about a day old.

Medical experts stated that pulmonary thromboembolism is a serious condition in which blood clots block arteries in the lungs, affecting breathing and blood circulation.

The autopsy report further mentioned that samples related to the heart and lungs have been preserved for histopathological examination, while viscera samples were sent for chemical analysis to determine additional medical details.

Earlier reports citing sources had stated that no foul play was detected in the initial post-mortem findings. Prateek Yadav had reportedly been suffering from liver and lung-related complications and had been admitted to a hospital in Lucknow several times in the past.

Prateek Yadav died at the age of 38 in Lucknow after his health deteriorated suddenly at his residence. Political leaders and family members later paid tribute following the news of his death.

Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra has indicated that petrol and diesel prices in India could increase if the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continues for a prolonged period.

Speaking at an international conference hosted by the Swiss National Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Switzerland, the RBI Governor said the government and state-run oil companies have so far absorbed rising crude oil costs, but such measures may not be sustainable indefinitely.

Malhotra said that if the conflict continues for a longer duration, it may become necessary for the government to pass on part of the increased fuel prices to consumers. He noted that excise duty cuts and losses borne by oil marketing companies have helped keep domestic fuel prices stable despite volatility in global crude oil markets.

The remarks come amid growing concerns over the economic impact of the ongoing tensions in West Asia, particularly around disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. India imports a significant share of its crude oil requirements, making the country vulnerable to sharp swings in international energy prices.

The RBI Governor also warned that supply-chain disruptions caused by the conflict are beginning to affect India and could add pressure on inflation in the coming months. India’s retail inflation rose slightly to 3.48% in April from 3.40% in March, although it remained below market expectations.

Malhotra said the RBI would remain flexible in its monetary policy approach and take action if inflationary pressures become persistent. The central bank has projected India’s economic growth at 6.9% for the current financial year while estimating average inflation at 4.6%.

The Centre has so far maintained that fuel supplies remain stable despite global volatility. However, analysts have cautioned that prolonged geopolitical uncertainty and elevated crude oil prices could eventually lead to retail fuel price revisions in India.