Ajit Doval in Moscow as India Balances US Pressure and Russia Ties

India’s NSA Ajit Doval met Russia’s First Deputy PM Denis Manturov in Moscow, seen as groundwork for President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to India. This comes soon after PM Modi’s call with Putin and amid US President Donald Trump imposing a 25% additional tariff on India over its Russian oil purchases, pressuring New Delhi to push Moscow toward ending the Ukraine war. The US-Russia summit in Alaska on August 15 is viewed as crucial; a truce could ease US-India tensions and help preserve India’s strategic partnership with Russia, vital for defense and nuclear cooperation. Former NSCS Director Dr. Tara Kartha noted that while the US is a larger trade partner, India remains Russia’s top arms buyer. If the war ends, US pressure on India’s Russian arms imports may rise; if not, India could diversify oil sources but prefers to maintain strong Russia ties. She expressed optimism that a deal will be reached.