India Dispatches National Security Adviser to Moscow Amid Escalating US Tariff Threats
NEW DELHI, India – August 6, 2025: India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, is in Moscow for some pretty important talks. This trip is a big deal since it’s happening while things are tense with the US over India buying Russian oil on the cheap. Even though the trip was planned before all this blew up, it’s seen as India standing its ground, especially since President Trump is threatening to slap a bunch of new tariffs on Indian goods. The Russian government has already said that they’ll be talking about their partnership, working together on defense, and, of course, those oil supplies. That oil is really at the heart of this whole mess.
Doval’s Job: Keep the Friendship Strong
Doval’s visit is at a pretty critical time for India’s foreign policy. He’s going to be meeting with Nikolai Patrushev, who’s basically the Russian version of him, and other top officials.
The main thing he’s trying to do is make sure India and Russia stay tight, particularly when it comes to defense and energy, even with the US breathing down their necks. They’ll probably talk about buying more S-400 missiles and setting up places in India to fix them.
This visit shows that India’s sticking with its special friendship with Russia. It comes right after India’s foreign ministry said that the US criticism was unfair and out of line.
Why India’s Digging In
India’s sticking to its guns on these oil imports for a pretty simple reason: money. Since the Ukraine conflict started, India’s been buying a ton of Russian oil because it’s so cheap, making Russia their biggest supplier.
This has been a lifesaver for India’s energy situation, helping keep gas prices down and inflation in check. Losing those cheap oil barrels could cost India billions and really hurt their economy.
On top of that, India’s also trying to show that it won’t be pushed around. They don’t like the US trying to tell them what to do with their foreign and economic policy, and they’ve felt that way from the jump.
Russia Defends India on Trump Tariff Threats
Trump’s Tariffs and a Growing Fight
This whole thing kicked off when President Trump started sounding off. He posted online, accusing India of buying tons of Russian oil and then reselling it for huge profits.
He’s already put a 25% tariff on Indian goods, which is in effect, and hinted that more could be coming. This has Indian exporters worried and has put India-US trade talks on pause.
US officials are saying that India’s basically helping fund Russia’s war. This is a big change from how the US used to see things. Before, they were willing to look the other way when it came to India and Russia because they wanted India as an ally that could keep China in check.
Accusations of Hypocrisy
India’s response has been sharp. The foreign ministry has called out the US and Europe for what they say are double standards.
They’re pointing out that Europe still buys a lot from Russia, like that liquefied natural gas, for example. They also say that the US still imports stuff like uranium from Russia.
India’s argument is that they’re just buying what they need on the market, not taking sides politically, and that they shouldn’t be singled out for doing something that everyone else is doing too.
What’s Next: Talks and Maybe More Trouble
Doval’s trip will probably get things ready for another visit from the Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, later this month. These meetings are happening to prep for a big India-Russia summit in Delhi later this year.
President Putin is expected to visit India for the first time since 2021. They’ll likely be talking about energy, food, and working together on defense.
Meanwhile, in Washington, the Trump administration is hinting that things could get worse. How long these tariffs last and how bad they get depends on what happens next. A lot of people are hoping that this is just a negotiating tactic and not a sign that relations are falling apart.
