Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India in December, according to the Kremlin on Friday. This visit occurs as ties between India and Russia have been strengthening, especially after the United States imposed tariffs on New Delhi for its continued purchases of Russian oil.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Putin will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a regional summit in China on Monday to discuss preparations for the December visit.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has imposed tariffs on Indian goods as a form of punishment for New Delhi's significant imports of Russian oil. This action is part of a broader campaign to pressure Moscow into ceasing its offensive in Ukraine. Energy revenues are a crucial source of income for Russia's state budget.

India has defended its oil imports from Russia, arguing that it turned to Russia because traditional supplies were being diverted to Europe following the conflict's outbreak.

The US has doubled tariffs on many imports from India to 50 percent. These tariffs, which went into effect on Wednesday, pose a significant risk to the Indian economy by threatening trade with its largest export market. In 2024, India exported over $87 billion worth of goods to the US. The Indian government has criticized the move, calling it "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable" and estimates that the tariffs will impact over $48 billion worth of exports. Indian officials are concerned that the new duties could make exports to the US commercially unviable, potentially leading to job losses and slower growth in India.

Trump had initially announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, but then imposed an additional 25% tariff due to India's purchases of Russian oil. Sectors such as textiles, gems and jewelry, and seafood, which heavily rely on the American market, are expected to face shrinking order books. The Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) reported that textile and apparel manufacturers in Tirupur, Delhi, and Surat have already halted production due to "worsening cost competitiveness". The FIEO president, SC Ralhan, stated that Indian goods have become uncompetitive compared to competitors from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and other Southeast and South Asian countries.

Despite the trade tensions, a top US official said, "At the end of the day, we will come together," expressing optimism. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, "I do think India is the world's largest democracy and the US is the world's largest economy. I think at the end of the day we will come together".

India's natural diamond polishing industry is anticipating a sharp 28–30% revenue drop, potentially falling to around $12.5 billion this financial year, due to the steep 50% tariffs imposed by the United States. In the previous year, 2024–25, the industry had earned nearly $16 billion.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) noted that persisting uncertainties related to US trade policies pose a downside risk to overall demand in the Indian economy.

Putin has significantly reduced his foreign travel since the offensive in Ukraine began, for which he faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. However, India is not a party to the ICC and is not obligated to detain Putin. Putin's visit is expected to focus on trade, energy cooperation, defense agreements, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.