New Delhi: India’s “old, strategic and privileged” partnership with Russia is crucial at a time of global “unpredictability” and “uncertainty”, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval said Thursday during a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu.
“But, Excellency, I think you said that the world is passing through a very tumultuous situation. There is some unpredictability, there are some things that are uncertain, and in an environment like this, our old strategic and privileged partnership has a very special role,” Doval said as part of his opening remarks during the annual meeting with Shoigu.
Doval’s visit to Moscow was scheduled at least two weeks ago but comes amid a spat between US President Donald Trump and India, particularly over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
On Wednesday, Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India, set to come into effect in the last week of August, on top of an already existing 25 percent levy. The American President has criticised India’s continued imports of Russian oil, accusing New Delhi of supporting Moscow’s “war machine” in Ukraine.
Doval sought Shoigu’s view on the current global situation while mentioning the shared India-Russia interest in combating terrorism. He also pointed out that “follow-up actions” were required on outcomes of the IRIGC-TEC (India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation) held in November 2024.
Doval further said that dates for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India had “almost” been finalised. Putin is expected to travel to New Delhi later this year for the annual India–Russia summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia last year for the summit, and it is now India’s turn to host Putin. The Russian President has not visited India since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Doval is expected to raise several strategic issues with Shoigu, including delivery of the two remaining S-400 Triumf air defence systems. The S-400s played a key role in India’s air defence during the 87-hour conflict with Pakistan in May 2025. This is Doval’s first visit to Moscow since Operation Sindoor.
India’s energy imports from Russia rose to $56 billion in the 2024–25 financial year. Russia has become India’s largest oil supplier, following the G7-imposed price cap introduced in 2022 after the onset of open warfare between Moscow and Kyiv.
The cap was designed to keep Russian oil below $60 a barrel, incentivising countries to continue importing crude while preventing shocks to the global energy system.
However, Trump in recent weeks has taken exception to New Delhi’s continued ties with Russia, particularly after negotiations over a mini trade deal between India and the US stalled. The two sides have been holding intense discussions to reduce reciprocal tariffs and to finalise a broader bilateral agreement. Modi and Trump had earlier announced that the “first tranche” of the trade deal would be unveiled by autumn 2025.
Talks have stalled over US access to India’s agricultural and dairy sectors. India made some concessions, particularly on processed dairy and select agricultural goods not grown domestically. But the offer appears to have fallen short of US expectations, with no formal deal announced yet.
United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s point person for the Russia–Ukraine war, met Putin a day before Doval’s visit. Trump and Putin are expected to meet sometime next week in an effort to break the deadlock over a ceasefire deal in the war.
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