New Delhi: In a strategic move signaling India's intent to deepen bilateral relations with Moscow despite mounting pressure from Washington, National Security Advisor Ajith Doval has landed in Russia. His visit comes at a time of heightened global diplomatic tensions, following U.S. President Donald Trump's fresh warning of steep tariffs on India over its continued oil imports from Russia.
Doval’s visit is understood to focus on fortifying Indo-Russian ties in the spheres of defence, energy cooperation, and regional security. While the official agenda remains under wraps, diplomatic sources confirm that discussions on global trade pressure tactics and strategic autonomy will also be central to the talks.
Adding further weight to the diplomatic mission, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is also expected to visit Russia later this month, indicating a coordinated diplomatic outreach by New Delhi.
The visit follows Trump’s latest outburst, where he accused India of being an unfair trade partner and directly threatened to hike tariffs “within the next 24 hours.” In a sharply worded statement, Trump claimed that India’s high tariffs were obstructing the possibility of a broader trade agreement with the United States.
"The U.S. barely trades with India, and they still impose the highest tariffs," Trump said. "Now they are buying oil from Russia and helping finance the war in Ukraine. That cannot continue. We’re going to significantly raise tariffs."
India, however, has defended its position, asserting that its oil imports from Russia are based on national interest and global energy needs. With the ISL crisis unfolding and economic stress mounting domestically, Indian policymakers appear unwilling to bend to U.S. threats, especially when it comes to matters of strategic sovereignty.
Doval’s Russia visit could also signal New Delhi's broader diplomatic message that India will not allow external geopolitical pressure to dictate its foreign policy, especially in an increasingly multipolar world order.