Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India later in 2025, with dates close to being finalized, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval announced during his Moscow visit on August 7, 2025. In discussions with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Doval expressed New Delhi’s enthusiasm, describing the upcoming visit as a significant milestone in India-Russia relations. He highlighted previous summits as “watershed moments” that have strengthened bilateral ties.
This will mark Putin’s first trip to India since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022. The visit follows two meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin in 2024—first at the 22nd India-Russia Summit in Moscow in July, where Modi was awarded Russia’s highest civilian honor, the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, for his role in deepening bilateral ties, and later at the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions with the United States, which imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports on August 6, 2025, bringing the total duty to 50%. The move, signed into effect by US President Donald Trump, targets India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, which constitutes about 35% of India’s crude imports. The US has also threatened secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian crude unless Moscow halts the Ukraine conflict, now in its fourth year, by August 8, 2025.
India has defended its energy imports, emphasizing market-driven decisions and the need to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens. The Ministry of External Affairs called the US tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” noting that the US itself imports Russian uranium and fertilizers. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi labeled the tariffs “economic blackmail” aimed at forcing India into an unfair trade deal.
Doval’s Moscow visit also covered defense cooperation, including the delayed delivery of S-400 missile systems, and energy security discussions, reflecting India’s commitment to its strategic partnership with Russia despite Western pressure. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to visit Russia in mid-August to further advance bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Clarification on Visit Dates: Initial reports suggesting Putin’s visit in late August 2025 were incorrect. Indian officials clarified that no specific date has been set, with negotiations ongoing for a likely year-end summit.
