Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India in late August, according to a statement made by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during his ongoing visit to Moscow. The announcement was reported by Russia’s Interfax news agency and later echoed by Sputnik India.
Putin’s visit, which is expected to focus on bolstering bilateral ties, comes at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions. A day before Doval’s remarks, US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Putin in Moscow, reportedly exploring options to negotiate a potential resolution to the ongoing Ukraine war.
Following the meeting, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that an agreement had been reached in principle for a bilateral summit between Trump and Putin. “We are now beginning concrete preparations together with our American colleagues,” Ushakov told Interfax.
❗️Putin’s Visit To India CONFIRMED, Dates Being Finalised: ‘We Are Excited & Delighted To Learn About President’s Visit, NSA Doval Tells Shoigu In Moscow
The summit meetings have always been “watershed points,” he adds. pic.twitter.com/VPifopwLhC
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) August 7, 2025
ALSO READ: Apple CEO Tim Cook Gifts Trump 24K Gold And Glass Statue | How Much Does It Cost?
Trump Threatens Tariffs On India Over Russian Oil
The flurry of diplomatic activity comes as Trump issued fresh warnings of imposing harsher sanctions on Russia and any nation engaging in trade with it, a veiled threat aimed at India. In a CNBC interview, Trump criticised New Delhi for purchasing discounted Russian oil, claiming, “India has not been a good trading partner… They’re buying Russian oil. They’re fuelling the war machine.” He went on to threaten a substantial increase in tariffs on Indian goods, claiming the existing 25 per cent duty might be raised within 24 hours.
Trump also accused India of profiting off the Ukraine conflict by importing Russian oil at discounted rates while thousands continue to die due to what he called the “Russian war machine.”
ALSO READ: Trump’s ‘Tariff King’ Rhetoric Against India: How US Toughened Trade Terms With India? | 7 Points Overview
India-Russia Relations In Focus
Against this complex geopolitical backdrop, Putin’s upcoming visit to India is seen as a strategic move to reinforce Russia’s longstanding partnership with New Delhi. The two countries share deep defence, energy, and strategic ties, and the visit is expected to further discussions on joint projects and regional security issues, particularly concerning Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific.