External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Russia next week, reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and Moscow amidst growing global tensions. The visit, planned for August 20-21, 2025, follows closely on the heels of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's recent trip to Moscow.
During his two-day visit, Jaishankar is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, to discuss key bilateral issues and cooperation within international frameworks. He may also call on President Vladimir Putin. Discussions will likely encompass trade, energy, and defense cooperation, as well as preparations for President Putin's anticipated visit to India later in the year. The leaders are expected to fine-tune the agenda for Putin's visit, which would be his first to India in four years.
The timing of Jaishankar's visit is particularly significant, as it comes amid increasing trade tensions with the United States. Recently, the U.S. imposed a new round of tariffs on Indian goods, effectively doubling the existing levy to 50 percent, in response to India's continued procurement of crude oil from Russia. This has added strain to the India-U.S. relationship, even as India seeks to maintain its strategic autonomy by engaging with all major global powers.
Despite Western scrutiny and pressure, India has maintained a close strategic partnership with Russia for decades, encompassing defense, nuclear energy, and space cooperation. This relationship has been characterized by "special and privileged strategic partnership". Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner of India. The two countries established bilateral relations in 1991 and have shared military ideals and overall economic policies.
India's foreign policy has a historical commitment to strategic autonomy, engaging with all major global influencers, including Russia. Russia accounts for over 50% of India's in-service military platforms, making India the largest recipient of Russian arms exports. There has also been joint production of platforms like the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile.
Energy cooperation has become a crucial aspect of the India-Russia relationship. Following Western sanctions on Moscow in 2022, Russia began offering India discounted crude oil, which has helped India manage inflation and maintain economic stability. By 2024, Russia had become one of India's top crude suppliers.
During the visit, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the need for a peaceful resolution are also expected to be on the agenda. Prime Minister Modi has consistently reiterated India's position for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The series of high-level exchanges between India and Russia, including Doval's recent visit, Jaishankar's upcoming trip, and the anticipated visit by President Putin, underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthen their strategic partnership. These interactions signal a strong and continued focus on bolstering ties across diplomatic, defense, and multilateral platforms.
