India‑Russia ties deepen as Putin plans December visit amid US tariffs
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Russian President Vladimir Putin is slated to travel to India in December, a move confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov, as New Delhi’s purchase of Russian crude draws fresh secondary tariffs from the United States.
Diplomatic choreography ahead of the visit
Ushakov told reporters, including AFP, that Putin will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation organisation summit in China on Monday to fine‑tune “preparations for the December visit.”
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval earlier affirmed that a russian state visit is imminent, emphasizing the “special, long relationship” the two nations share.
US secondary tariffs and their rationale
President Donald trump announced an additional twenty‑five percent tariff on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s continued procurement of Russian oil as the trigger.
Trump accused India of buying “massive amounts of Russian oil” and reselling it for ”big profits,” claiming the policy shows indifference to the human toll of the war in Ukraine.
Strategic stakes for the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership
The United States frames the tariffs as pressure on Moscow to end its offensive in Ukraine, while India denounces the measure as ”unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” pointing out that the US and Europe also import Russian energy.
As Russia’s invasion in february 2022, Moscow has redirected oil sales toward India and China, preserving a multi‑billion‑dollar revenue stream despite Western sanctions.
Recent high‑level contacts
Earlier this month, Putin phoned Modi to share his assessment of a meeting with President Trump in Alaska on the Ukraine conflict, with the Indian premier reiterating new Delhi’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution.
The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation under the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, covering defense, energy and technology sectors.
| event | date | Key Actors | Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| US secondary tariff announcement | August 2025 | President |