India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has arrived in Moscow for a series of high-level meetings, Indian media reported on Wednesday, as tensions grow between New Delhi and Washington over imports of Russian oil.
According to The Hindu, Doval’s visit will include talks with senior Russian officials on defense and security cooperation, as well as discussions related to Western sanctions on Russian energy exports. The trip also comes ahead of a planned summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.This marks Doval’s first overseas visit since armed clashes between India and Pakistan in May. The violence followed an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 people—mostly Indian tourists—were killed by unidentified gunmen in the Pahalgam region. New Delhi linked the incident to “cross-border elements,” a claim Islamabad denied, calling for an impartial investigation. The crisis escalated into retaliatory strikes by both sides before a ceasefire was brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump on May 10.
On Tuesday, Russian state agency TASS cited an Indian source saying the visit would cover the broader strategic partnership between Moscow and New Delhi, with the oil trade expected to feature prominently. “The current geopolitical developments will also influence the agenda,” the source was quoted as saying.
The visit coincides with renewed pressure from Washington. In an interview with CNBC, President Trump said he would impose “very substantial” tariffs on India within 24 hours, alleging that New Delhi was benefiting from the resale of discounted Russian oil. The warning follows a Truth Social post on Sunday where Trump first signaled the tariff hike.
India’s Foreign Ministry responded Monday by calling the criticism “unjustified and unreasonable.” Spokesman Randhir Jaiswal stated that the U.S. had initially supported India’s Russian oil purchases at the start of the Ukraine war, viewing them as a way to stabilize global energy markets.
