Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later this year, as confirmed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during his visit to Moscow. While specific dates have not been announced, Russian news agency Interfax suggests the tour will likely happen in the coming months. Doval expressed optimism about the visit, emphasizing the “special, long-standing relationship” between India and Russia and highlighting the consistent high-level engagement between the two countries. However, there has been no formal confirmation from the Kremlin regarding the visit as of yet.

The anticipated visit comes during a period of escalating tensions between India and the United States, sparked by India’s continued import of Russian oil. US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized India, claiming that the oil purchases help fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. In a move that significantly raised the stakes, Trump recently signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, warning of further secondary sanctions for countries dealing with Russian energy unless a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine. These developments have cast a shadow over Indo-US trade relations, which had already hit turbulence amid stalled negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has also indicated that President Putin may meet with Donald Trump in the near future. According to Foreign Affairs Adviser Yuri Ushakov, preparations for the summit are underway, with a location already agreed upon, although the date remains unconfirmed. This meeting could be pivotal as global powers recalibrate their strategies in response to ongoing geopolitical shifts. Notably, the possibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining the summit was dismissed by Moscow, despite US openness to the idea. Analysts suggest Putin is leveraging time and negotiations to reinforce Russia’s hold over occupied territories, remaining firm on seeking a resolution strictly on Russian terms.