Putin to visit India this year amid Trump tariff over Russian oil trade

New Delhi: Amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and India, and following former US President Donald Trump's imposition of an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods over its purchase of Russian oil, Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to visit India later this month.

The development comes as National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, currently in Moscow, met his Russian counterpart. While neither Moscow nor New Delhi has officially confirmed the visit, news agency ANI reported that the dates of Putin's visit to India are being worked out. No specific date or time has been indicated by the NSA in his engagements.

Earlier, Russian news agency Interfax reported that Putin was expected to travel to India in late August.

Putin last visited India in December 2021 during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in Delhi. Various MoUs were signed between the countries during the Russian president's visit. PM Modi visited Russia in July 2024 for bilateral summit, which was widely criticised in the western countries.

Indian exports to the US, which were already subjected to a 25 per cent tariff, are set to face an additional 25 per cent duty in the next three weeks. The move comes after Trump accused India of indirectly funding President Putin's war in Ukraine through oil trade and signed an executive order.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said on Thursday that Putin is also expected to meet Trump in the coming days. Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said that preparations for the meeting are under way, and while a venue has been agreed upon, it will be announced later.