India and Russia reaffirmed their dedication to a long-standing "strategic partnership" during high-level security discussions held in Moscow. These crucial bilateral talks took place shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sharp increase in tariffs on Indian goods, a retaliatory measure linked to India's ongoing import of Russian oil.
The discussions were highlighted by a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval at the Kremlin, as reported by Russia’s state-run RIA news agency. Both nations emphasized their strong bilateral ties and security cooperation amid growing global tensions.
Just a day earlier, President Trump signed an executive order that imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, effectively doubling the overall duty to 50%. The tariff hike, announced as part of a phased implementation, will begin with the first 25% increase on August 7, followed by the second phase after 21 days, unless diplomatic discussions lead to an alternative agreement.
The U.S. administration also issued warnings about potential secondary sanctions on countries that continue to purchase Russian crude oil, unless Russia agrees to cease its military operations in Ukraine—a conflict that has now stretched into its fourth year.
India responded with strong disapproval, calling the tariff move “unfortunate” and reiterating its resolve to protect national interests. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized the new tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” assuring that India would adopt all necessary measures to safeguard its economic sovereignty.
Critics in both India and abroad have also accused the U.S. of hypocrisy, pointing out its ongoing imports of Russian commodities like uranium hexafluoride, palladium, and fertilisers, despite its hardline stance on Russian oil exports.
In a defiant public address at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly criticized the U.S. decision. Without naming any specific country, he asserted that India would not succumb to external pressures, even if doing so involved economic sacrifices.
Meanwhile, Ajit Doval confirmed that President Putin is scheduled to visit India later this year, with dates currently being worked out. During a separate meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Doval expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming summit, calling previous Indo-Russian leadership meetings “watershed moments” in their diplomatic history and emphasizing the pivotal role the forthcoming engagement will play in strengthening ties.
This anticipated visit will be President Putin’s first to India since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
