Russian leader Vladimir Putin is likely to pay a visit to India later this year, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said on Thursday in Moscow. While no specific date was mentioned, Russian news agency Interfax indicated the visit would happen sometime in the coming months.
Referring to the visit, Doval underscored the long-standing robustness of Indo-Russian relations. "We have a special, long relationship, and we cherish this relationship. We have seen high-level interaction, and these high-level interactions have made a very significant contribution. We are very enthusiastic and happy to hear about the visit of President Putin to India. I believe the dates are virtually finalized now," he added.
As of now, the Kremlin has not issued any formal announcement regarding the tour.
This development comes as India faces growing pressure from Washington over its ongoing energy trade with Moscow. U.S. President Donald Trump recently criticized India for undermining global efforts to isolate Russia over the war in Ukraine, accusing New Delhi of bolstering the Russian economy by continuing to purchase its oil.
In a stunning gesture on Wednesday, Trump issued an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports. The move comes after a threat by the U.S. President that nations still purchasing Russian oil might face secondary sanctions unless Russia accepts a ceasefire in Ukraine by Friday.
President Putin's possible visit to India can become a turning point for India's diplomatic game of balance, especially as its strategic autonomy is being tested by escalating tensions with the United States. The timing of the visit—coinciding with Trump's escalation of tariffs—can emphasize New Delhi's determination to stay close to Moscow in the face of American disapproval.
India and Russia have a long-standing relationship that has its roots in the Cold War. The economic ties between the two countries have developed immensely over the last couple of years, with trade volumes touching fresh records. India has become one of the largest purchasers of Russian crude since the Ukraine war broke out almost four years ago, importing over two million barrels a day as of mid-2023—nearly 45% of its overall crude imports.
In another development, the Kremlin made known that a summit between President Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is also in the pipeline. Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov said that both parties are making arrangements on logistics, and although a date has not been set, the summit may take place as soon as next week.
We are trying to arrange a meeting," Ushakov replied. "There has been an agreement on the location of the meeting, which will be announced later." He further stated that such diplomatic forums take a lot of coordination and that information will be released in the near future.
Ushakov also rebuffed indications that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be invited to attend the summit. Although the White House had previously indicated Trump was willing to invite Zelenskyy, Ushakov said that Moscow opposed the idea. Putin has in the past rebuffed Zelenskyy's invitations for direct negotiations, demanding that any solution must conform to Russia's demands.
Western powers have repeatedly accused the Kremlin of prolonging peace talks in order to obtain military gain. Thus far, President Putin has been reluctant to compromise, adhering tightly to his demands for any subsequent settlement.
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