New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday began a three-day visit to Moscow aimed at strengthening the “time-tested” India-Russia partnership.
The visit comes at a time when New Delhi’s ties with Washington face turbulence following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, along with an additional 25 percent penalty for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
This marks the second high-level India-Russia engagement in recent weeks, following National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s Moscow trip earlier this month. Both visits are seen as groundwork for the annual India-Russia summit, during which President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jaishankar is scheduled to co-chair the 26th session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) on August 20. He will also address the India-Russia Business Forum and hold discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to review bilateral priorities and exchange perspectives on regional and global issues.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit underscores efforts “to further strengthen the longstanding and time-tested India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership.” Jaishankar’s trip comes at the invitation of Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, and he is also expected to meet President Putin.
Energy cooperation will remain a central focus. India continues to procure Russian crude oil despite U.S. pressure, with imports accounting for nearly 42 percent of India’s total oil needs. New Delhi is reportedly pushing for further price reductions, even as the G7-imposed USD 60 per barrel price cap has faced criticism for limited effectiveness. Last month, the European Union signaled plans to tighten the cap further.
While the U.S. move to raise tariffs has drawn sharp reactions from New Delhi, which termed it “unjustified and unreasonable,” India and Russia are pressing ahead with deeper collaboration. Just two weeks ago, both sides engaged in talks on defense cooperation, civilian aircraft manufacturing, and metallurgy.
Jaishankar’s Moscow visit is expected to set the stage for key agreements ahead of President Putin’s India trip later this year.
