National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday in a high-level diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening the India-Russia strategic partnership. The meeting came at a crucial time, just as US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, raising the total duty to 50 per cent.
A video released by the Kremlin press service showed Putin greeting Doval warmly, followed by discussions on regional and global security matters. Prior to this, Doval held talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, who reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to a “just and sustainable world order” and enhancing cooperation with India.
Trump has announced a two-phase tariff hike on Indian goods, starting with a 25 per cent increase on August 7, with another hike set for 21 days later unless talks intervene. India condemned the move as “unfortunate,” calling the tariffs “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that India would take all necessary steps to defend its economic sovereignty.