PM Modi speaks to Putin amid US tariff tensions, strengthens India-Russia ties

PM Modi discussed Ukraine updates and bilateral progress with Putin, inviting him for India’s annual summit. NSA Doval finalized visit plans in Moscow. The talks come as US imposes tariffs over Russian oil imports, drawing criticism from both nations. India & Russia reaffirm strategic partnership, defending sovereign trade rights against Western pressure.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday (August 8, 2025) that he spoke on a phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and thanked him for sharing the 'latest events' in Ukraine.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Shri Modi said that the two leaders also reviewed the progress of the India-Russia bilateral agenda and confirmed their resolve to deepen the 'India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership.' Prime Minister Modi also invited the Russian president to come to India this year, where the annual bilateral summit is to be held.

Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2025

A day earlier, India's National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Dowal, met Russian President Putin in the Kremlin. In a conversation with Sergei Shigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, on Thursday, Doval confirmed that the plan of President Putin's visit to India had been "almost final."

Discussions have been going on since the beginning of this year about India and President Putin's visit. Putin last visited India on December 6, 2021, when India hosted the annual summit at Hyderabad House.

India-Russian response to America's tariff

This conversation of the two leaders took place at a time when US President Donald Trump had imposed additional tariffs on India, citing the continuation of Russian oil purchases by Indian institutions. The Ministry of External Affairs reacted to Trump's move, describing it as 'extremely unfortunate.'

In response, the Kremlin also accused the US of putting illegal trade pressure on India. Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov told reporters, "We hear many statements that are really threats that are aimed at forcing countries to break the business relationship with Russia. We do not consider such statements legal."

He further said, "We believe that sovereign countries have the right to choose their business partner, and they should choose methods of economic cooperation that suit their national interests."

It is clear from this whole development that the strategic partnership between India and Russia remains strong, even though countries like America are questioning it. Putin's upcoming India visit will give new energy to the relationship between the two countries, especially at a time when tension in global geopolitics is increasing.

Also, the united response of India and Russia against the US tariff also reveals that the two countries are committed to protecting their economic interests.