What does NSA Ajit Doval’s visit to Russia mean for strained US-India ties?

Ajit Doval, India’s National Security chief is set to meet Putin and other senior Russian officials in Moscow this week - a move that could further complicate India’s relations with Trump’s USA.

Despite Doval’s trip being scheduled weeks earlier, it comes at a time when US President Donald Trump looks to punish India over her purchases of Russian oil.

For context - Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order that imposes an additional 25% tariff on India taking the total tariff on Indian imports to the US to 50% from August 27. India thus became only the second country after Brazil to be hit with 50% tariffs - currently the highest rates imposed by Trump.

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Reports suggest that Doval’s visit is likely to include a meeting with Vladimir Putin, as India prepares to welcome the Russian President in Delhi later this year. But it is now more than likely that Trump’s latest diktat will dominate those proceedings.

India has had longstanding and wide-ranging defence and security cooperation with Russia.

Cooperation that is guided by the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation. A treaty headed by the Defence Ministers of both countries.

Reports suggest that the NSA’s itinerary is expected to focus on expanding those ties. It is said to include the purchase of additional S-400 missile defence systems, the setting up of S-400 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India, as well as dialogue on Sukhoi-57 fighter jets.

Don’t forget Russia’s S-400 systems played a major role in India’s Operation Sindoor - the audacious response to the Pakistan military’s proxy aggression in Kashmir. Furthermore, the BrahMos missiles jointly developed by India and Russia are another example of deepening Indo-Russia ties.

Also watch: Trump’s tariffs pushing India closer to Russia, and even China

Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is also in Moscow to meet with Putin, as the US President seeks an end to the war in Ukraine. Doval’s visit thus underlines India’s intention to safeguard her national interests at the risk of defying a megalomaniac Trump.