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Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to India in December at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AFP reports. This will be Putin’s first visit since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022.
The visit comes at a time when India faces US tariffs and sanctions over its continued oil trade with Moscow. Former US President Donald Trump recently announced an additional 25% tariff on India, citing concerns over its ties with Russia, bringing the total duty to 50%. The US has also accused India of indirectly funding the Ukraine war through crude oil purchases.
The Indian government has strongly rejected these claims, calling them hypocritical and unfair, and emphasized that its oil imports are driven by market considerations and national interests. India has also highlighted the double standards in US policy, noting that other major economies continue trading with Russia.
Russia has expressed support for India, criticizing the US tariffs as unjustified and offering that “if Indian goods cannot go to the US market, they can head to Russia.”
During the visit, both leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including economic, energy, and defense cooperation, strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations. Russia remains one of India’s largest defense partners, with relations dating back to the Soviet era.
