Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to hold a high-level meeting in New Delhi before the year ends, according to a Russian embassy official cited by Reuters. While an exact date has not been finalized, the announcement follows External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow to strengthen bilateral ties amid criticism from the United States and the European Union over India’s close engagement with Russia.
The two leaders recently spoke by phone shortly after Putin met US President Donald Trump in Alaska on August 15. The Russian embassy also condemned Washington’s penalties on India for continuing energy trade with Moscow, calling the sanctions “illegal” and “unjustified.” Officials stressed that the crude oil partnership between India and Russia will remain unaffected, projecting overall trade between the nations to rise by 10% annually.
“More international pressure will only push India and Russia to work even more closely,” the embassy noted, highlighting that a rupee-rouble settlement mechanism will be used more extensively in future transactions. The two governments are working on new frameworks to carry out trade in their own currencies, reducing reliance on the US dollar and underscoring that Russia “cannot be isolated” from the global economy.
Washington, however, has stepped up its criticism of India’s oil imports from Russia. President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods on July 31 and followed it with another 25% penalty in August, doubling the total tariff burden to 50%. The US argued that India’s purchase of oil and defense products from Moscow indirectly supports Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Paradoxically, while imposing tariffs on New Delhi, Trump has also deepened ties with Moscow. His August 15 meeting with Putin in Alaska included ceremonial honors and a push for Ukraine to cede territory in exchange for ending the war. This dual-track approach has drawn global attention, particularly as India remains firm on maintaining its energy and defense partnerships with Russia.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar is in Russia from August 19 to 21, co-chairing the 26th session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. His visit reflects New Delhi’s intent to balance global pressures while reinforcing its long-standing partnership with Moscow.
