Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later this year, marking a significant diplomatic development since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022. According to Russian news agency Interfax, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval shared this information during his current visit to Moscow.
Doval is in Russia to strengthen defense ties between the two countries. On Thursday, he held a key meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, where both sides emphasized the importance of deepening their strategic partnership.
If the visit goes ahead, it will be Putin’s first trip to India since launching military action in Ukraine. Over the past year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin have met twice, underscoring the evolving relationship between New Delhi and Moscow.
The first meeting took place in July last year during the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in Moscow. During that trip, President Putin awarded Prime Minister Modi Russia’s highest civilian honor in recognition of his role in enhancing bilateral ties.
Later in October, Modi traveled to Kazan, Russia, to attend the BRICS Summit, where he held a second round of talks with Putin. These high-level engagements reflect growing cooperation between the two nations, especially in defense and energy sectors.
However, India’s continued purchase of Russian oil has not gone unnoticed by the West. Just yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a hefty 25% additional tariff on Indian goods as a penalty, taking the total U.S. tariff on Indian imports to a staggering 50%.
This follows Trump’s earlier move last month, when he imposed an initial 25% retaliatory duty on Indian imports. The growing tariff war has strained diplomatic relations between Washington and New Delhi. Interestingly, the announcement of Putin’s potential India visit came right after these developments, sparking speculation about New Delhi’s shifting alliances.
As geopolitical tensions rise, all eyes are now on the upcoming visit and what it might mean for the global balance of power.
