Russia–India Diplomacy Shines Amid U.S. Tariff Storm
New Delhi, August 20, 2025 – In a move signaling closer ties between Moscow and New Delhi, Russian President Vladimir Putin is slated to travel to India and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi before the close of 2025. The announcement, made by the Russian embassy in India, comes amidst escalating U.S. economic pressure on India over its energy policies.
Specific dates for the visit remain under negotiation, but officials suggest that a bilateral meeting may also take place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin later this month . India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval previously announced a similar timeframe via Interfax, clarifying that this reframed earlier reports anticipating a late-August arrival.
U.S. Tariff Escalation Pressures India’s Strategic Choices
The backdrop to Putin’s impending visit is a series of sweeping trade measures imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. India now faces a punitive 50% tariff on imports into the U.S., driven by its continued purchases of Russian oil—actions Washington views as indirectly bolstering Russia’s war capability.
This tariff includes an initial 25% “reciprocal” duty, followed by an additional 25% penalty tied to energy purchases, with the effective date in late August. The U.S. has framed these measures as geopolitical leverage, urging India to disinvest from Russian relations, though New Delhi continues to defend its position on national interest and strategic autonomy.
Changing Oil Dynamics and Market Shifts
Data from July 2025 indicate a 24.5% drop in India’s Russian oil imports compared to the previous month—falling to 1.5 million barrels per day—due to narrower discounts and subdued seasonal demand. Major private refiners like Reliance, Nayara, and HPCL-Mittal accounted for about 60% of these supplies. Despite the decrease, Russia remains India’s top oil supplier, though OPEC countries—including Iraq and Saudi Arabia—are regaining ground.
In response to U.S. tariffs, Indian refiners are diversifying their sourcing strategies, purchasing crude from the U.S., Brazil, the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia, which plans to increase its shipments to India in the coming months.
Modi-Putin Phone Call Lays Groundwork for Summit
Earlier this month, on August 8, Prime Minister Modi spoke with President Putin by phone. Modi thanked him for sharing insights from his recent meeting with President Trump in Alaska and invited him to New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit later this year. Both leaders underscored deepening the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between their countries.
Strategic Significance of the Visit
Putin’s visit is poised to be more than symbolic—it represents a deepening of strategic alignment between India and Russia amid growing friction with Washington. As India navigates economic retaliation from the U.S., enhancing ties with traditional partners like Russia ensures continued access to energy, defense cooperation, and diplomatic support.
This visit is likely to recalibrate regional dynamics and bolster India’s multipolar strategic posture, signaling that Delhi remains committed to pursuing partnerships that align with its sovereign interests.