Moscow, Aug 7: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived in Moscow late Wednesday to hold high-level meetings with senior Russian officials, aimed at bolstering defence ties, energy cooperation, and preparing the ground for an upcoming summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin.
According to sources, Doval’s visit comes at a crucial moment, as geopolitical tensions escalate following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods—retaliation for India’s continued oil imports from Russia. This raises the overall tariff burden on Indian exports to the US to 50%, the highest among all US trade partners, alongside Brazil.
Russian state news agency TASS confirmed that Doval’s discussions will include the delivery schedule of remaining S-400 air defence systems, bilateral defence agreements, and Russian oil supplies. Broader regional security concerns—especially the evolving situation in Afghanistan and Russia’s recent recognition of the Taliban regime—are also expected to figure prominently.
“The current escalation of the geopolitical situation will also be discussed,” TASS reported, underscoring the significance of this visit in shaping India’s strategic response to emerging global realignments.
This is Doval’s first visit to Russia since the successful completion of Operation Sindoor in May 2025, during which the S-400 systems played a crucial role in neutralising aerial threats amid heightened tensions with Pakistan. He had last interacted with Russian counterparts at the SCO NSA meeting in Beijing in June.
Doval’s trip precedes a wider diplomatic push, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar scheduled to travel to Russia in the third week of August for the annual Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). This mechanism serves as the primary forum for bilateral economic engagement and was last hosted by India in November 2024.
Jaishankar’s visit gains added significance amid the growing tariff dispute with Washington. Sources indicated that the India-Russia energy partnership and New Delhi’s strategic autonomy in foreign policy will be central to the IRIGC-TEC discussions.
The back-to-back visits of India’s top national security and diplomatic officials highlight New Delhi’s intent to deepen ties with Moscow in defence and energy, while countering Western pressure tactics.
Doval’s meetings coincide with a parallel diplomatic track in Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to hold talks with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The US is reportedly pushing for a Ukraine ceasefire ahead of the August 8 deadline set by President Trump, who has warned of more sanctions if no breakthrough is achieved.
With high-stakes diplomacy underway on multiple fronts, Doval’s Moscow visit marks a pivotal moment in India’s strategic outreach amid shifting global equations.
