Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi/Moscow: Amid rising diplomatic pressure from the U.S., India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reached Moscow on Tuesday and held a significant meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit comes in the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning of steep tariffs on India over continued oil trade with Russia.
India-Russia Energy Deal Likely in the Works
According to The Moscow Times, Doval’s visit may pave the way for a new oil agreement between India and Russia. Russian state agency TASS reported that Doval is scheduled to meet with top Russian officials on August 7. During the meeting, he is expected to clarify India’s energy strategy directly to President Putin. Additionally, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to visit Russia next week, further strengthening diplomatic dialogue.
Trump’s Tariff Warning Over Russian Oil Trade
President Trump has repeatedly accused India of fueling Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine by continuing to import Russian oil. He has warned of “very substantial” tariff hikes if India doesn’t stop its oil trade with Russia. Trump has already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian exports. As the world’s third-largest oil consumer, India currently imports 35% of its crude oil from Russia, second only to China.
Defense Ties Also Under Discussion
As per a report in The Economic Times, Doval will also engage in defense discussions with his Russian counterparts. Topics expected to be covered include potential procurement and maintenance of the S-400 missile defense system, indicating India’s ongoing interest in strategic military collaboration with Russia.
