New Delhi - Saba:
Indian media reported on Tuesday that Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor to the Indian Prime Minister, is expected to visit Moscow this week to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. In late August, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will visit Russia.
Indian media reported that US President Donald Trump's threats to impose higher tariffs on Indian goods related to the country's trade with Russia will not lead to a cooling of Russian-Indian relations.
The Indian television channel Times Now reported that Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor to the Indian Prime Minister, is expected to visit Moscow this week to strengthen bilateral ties amid increasing pressure from Washington. Doval's visit will be followed by a visit by Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Moscow in late August.
Doval's visit is expected to clarify how New Delhi is navigating the complex energy and economic landscape shaped by shifting global supply chains and strategic rebalancing. The high-level meetings come after Trump last week described India and Russia as "dead economies," announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, and threatened sanctions against countries with strategic trade ties with Moscow.
Indian officials have shown no desire to reduce their oil imports from Russia despite mounting pressure from Trump. A senior government official told The Times of India, "We will act in the interest of Indian consumers and choose the most cost-effective option. If Russian oil remains cheaper than other sources, there is no need to penalize our citizens."
It is worth noting that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on August 4 describing the US and EU attacks on India's imports of Russian oil as unjustified, as Western countries have previously encouraged this trade to promote stability in global energy markets and continue to purchase goods and services from Russia.
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