Moscow/New Delhi, Aug 7: Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to India later this year, India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said during his visit to Moscow on Thursday, according to Russian news agency Interfax.
The announcement comes at a time of escalating tensions between New Delhi and Washington, after US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports. The move, effective from August 28, is aimed at penalizing India for continuing to purchase Russian crude oil.
During a meeting with Doval, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to strengthening its “comprehensive strategic partnership” with India.
“Russia remains a reliable and consistent partner of India,” Shoigu told Doval, according to a readout of the meeting.
Putin’s planned visit follows a renewed push by Trump to curtail Russian oil revenues. On Wednesday, Trump warned that countries continuing trade with Moscow—particularly in the energy sector—would face consequences. India and China remain among the top buyers of Russian oil.
“We cannot allow trade that directly funds a war effort,” Trump said in Washington while announcing the fresh tariffs. “If India or China continue down this path, we will take stronger action.”
In a parallel development, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov revealed on Thursday that Putin and Trump will hold a bilateral summit in the coming days—their first in-person meeting since 2021.
The upcoming summit follows backchannel diplomacy between Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and President Putin, reportedly focused on finding a diplomatic solution to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump has threatened fresh sanctions not only against Russia but also against countries purchasing its exports if peace negotiations fail to yield results.
Despite mounting Western pressure, India has continued to defend its energy ties with Russia, citing economic necessity and energy security. New Delhi has maintained that its oil imports are made on commercially favorable terms.
Putin’s scheduled visit is expected to focus on trade, defense cooperation, and regional security, and could serve as a reaffirmation of India-Russia ties amid shifting global alignments.
