Russian President Vladimir Putin is anticipated to go to India in late August, in accordance with a report by Russian information company Interfax. The replace was attributed to India’s Nationwide Safety Adviser, Ajit Doval, throughout his ongoing go to to Moscow.
Though no official affirmation has been issued by the Indian authorities, the report has stirred hypothesis about deepening strategic ties between New Delhi and Moscow—particularly at a time when India faces mounting strain from Washington over its power dealings with Russia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is already slated to journey to Japan and China on 28 August.
What’s Behind the Newest Tariff Spat Between the US and India?
Tensions between New Delhi and Washington have flared after former US President Donald Trump signed a recent govt order on Wednesday, imposing a further 25% tariff on imports from India.
The White Home cited India’s alleged import of crude oil and petroleum merchandise from the Russian Federation—whether or not instantly or by way of third-party intermediaries—as grounds for the transfer.
The brand new tariffs convey the total US import responsibility on Indian items to a hefty 50%, sparking considerations of an rising commerce conflict between the 2 strategic companions.
Why Is the US Focusing on India’s Vitality Commerce?
In response to the chief order, the Trump administration believes India’s continued buy of Russian oil undermines US overseas coverage goals and nationwide safety pursuits.
The US directive, printed by the White Home, broadly defines “oblique imports” as any procurement by way of middlemen or third international locations the place the Russian origin of oil may be fairly traced.
The extra 25% tariffs are set to take impact 21 days after the order’s signing, giving India and Russia a slender window to provoke diplomatic negotiations to hunt aid.
How Is India Responding?
India’s state-run oil refiners have already begun scaling again purchases of Russian crude, Bloomberg reported. This cautious shift seems to be in direct response to Washington’s rising scrutiny and the newly imposed duties.
India has to this point maintained a balancing act, asserting its sovereign proper to power safety whereas making an attempt to protect strategic relations with each the US and Russia.
What’s at Stake Forward of Putin’s Go to?
Ought to President Putin’s go to go forward as reported, it could function a high-stakes second in India’s geopolitical technique. The timing—coinciding with US commerce threats and potential diplomatic manoeuvring—may reinforce the optics of a resilient Indo-Russian partnership, whilst New Delhi seeks to handle its complicated ties with Washington.
