National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior officials in Moscow on Thursday, reaffirming New Delhi and Moscow’s commitment to their “special and privileged strategic partnership.” The visit came at a politically charged moment, just a day after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil.
Doval’s meetings, though scheduled earlier, gained fresh significance amid Washington’s punitive 25% tariff on Indian goods that took effect on Thursday, alongside the new levy on New Delhi’s energy dealings with Moscow.
Putin Meeting and Security Council Talks
Doval held wide-ranging talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu before meeting Putin at the Kremlin. Both sides underlined that their relationship holds particular weight in what they described as a “tumultuous” and unpredictable global environment.
“We highly value our strategic partnership,” Doval said, adding that long-standing trust between the two nations makes the relationship critical at a time of geopolitical flux. Shoigu echoed this, calling the India–Russia bond “time-tested” and rooted in mutual respect and shared security concerns.
Putin’s Planned India Visit
The two sides also discussed the upcoming annual India–Russia Summit, with Doval noting that dates for Putin’s visit to India are “almost finalized.” Sources say talks are ongoing to determine a specific schedule. These summits, held alternately in both countries, have been key in setting the strategic agenda for the partnership.
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Condemnation of Pahalgam Terror Attack
Doval thanked Putin for his swift condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. He emphasized India’s commitment to fighting terrorism “with all our might.” The incident had seen extensive use of Russian-origin military hardware, including the S-400 air defence system, Su-30 jets, and BrahMos missiles, during subsequent cross-border hostilities with Pakistan.
Economic Cooperation Under Strain
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Moscow later this month for a meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). The engagement will focus on trade and economic ties—now under increased strain from US pressure on India’s energy relationship with Russia.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized India for buying what it calls “massive amounts” of Russian oil and accused New Delhi of reselling crude at a profit. India, however, has maintained that its purchases are driven by national interest and are consistent with global market practices.
In response to Washington’s latest measures, India called the additional 25% tariff “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” The Ministry of External Affairs said it was “extremely unfortunate” that the US targeted India for actions “that several other countries are also taking,” citing continued Russian energy imports by China, Türkiye, and EU member states.
