National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s recent visit to Moscow’s Kremlin is a milestone in India-Russia relations at a time of increasing geopolitical tensions and rising US pressure on India. Doval’s visit seems to be perfectly timed as the United States, led by President Donald Trump, threatened to abruptly raise tariffs on India for its unabated oil imports from Russia. This visit emphasizes India’s commitment to furthering its long-standing strategic relationship with Russia, especially in defense and energy realms, in the face of mounting external pressures.
‘Putin’s visit almost finalised’
“We were pleased to know about President Putin’s visit to our country. I think that the dates are almost finalized now”, NSA Ajit Doval told Russian Security Council chief Sergei Shoigu.
Throughout his meetings with top Russian officials, Doval spent considerable time discussing defense collaboration, energy relations, and arrangements for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to India later this year. High on the agenda is the timeline for the delivery of the remaining S-400 missile defense systems, which India has contracted to purchase. These systems had already played a vital part in India’s military campaign, such as the recent Operation Sindoor against terror camps. Talks were also set to discuss India’s interest in Russia’s latest SU-57 fighter planes, the symbol of the strengthening military-industrial relationship between the two nations.
‘Special, long and valued relationship’
He also said, “You have very rightly mentioned that we have a very special relationship, long relationship, and we highly value our strategic partnership. We have had high-level engagements and these high-level engagements have contributed very substantially. We are very excited and delighted to learn about the visit of President Putin to India. I think that the dates are almost finalised now…”
#WATCH | Moscow, Russia: NSA Ajit Doval says, “…We are very excited and delighted to learn about the visit of President Putin to India. I think that the dates are almost finalised now…”
“You have very rightly mentioned that we have a very special relationship, long… pic.twitter.com/BmTsxTNIlN
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2025
Energy, despite ‘Tariff-punishments’
Energy cooperation was also a vital area, with India and Russia discussing Russia’s oil supplies under draconian international sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine war. Albeit being accused by the US of “fueling the war machine” for buying Russian oil and imposing retaliatory tariffs up to 50%, India reaffirms that it will defend its national interests and economic security. India has become the second-largest consumer of Russian crude, considerably boosting its energy security in a turbulent global market.
IRIGC-TEC
Doval’s visit is part of a wider diplomatic outreach, with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also set to visit Russia later this month for the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) meeting. The commission is the main vehicle for bilateral trade and economic cooperation management, where energy and US tariff issues imposed are likely to be high on the agenda.
US Special Envoy in Russia
Significantly, Doval’s Moscow trip came at a time when US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was in Russia trying to negotiate a ceasefire in the Ukraine war within an August 8 deadline imposed by Trump. The coincidence of Indian and American envoys being simultaneously present in Moscow reflects the nuanced geopolitics chessboard, where India is attempting to preserve strategic autonomy and intensify relationships with Russia while taking into account the American pressure.
In short, NSA Ajit Doval’s Kremlin visit indicates India’s strong commitment to maintaining and strengthening its ties with Russia in defense and energy sectors in the face of increasing US sanctions and geopolitical risks. The visit marks clearly India’s diplomatic resilience and strategic balancing in the fast-changing world order. It also opens the way for further high-level interaction between the two nations, strengthening their time-tested friendship and cooperation at a pivotal moment in global affairs.
