US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India to pressure it over purchasing oil from Russia and to create a favorable environment for American companies in the dairy and agricultural sectors. India strongly opposed this move.
(SNPNEWS.IN Update): US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on India over the issue of oil purchases from Russia, bringing the total tariff to 50%. This decision will take effect from August 27, 2025. Trump linked the tariffs to national security, claiming that India’s oil purchases from Russia are equivalent to financially supporting the Ukraine war.
India condemned the US tariffs, with the Ministry of External Affairs calling them “regrettable” and stating that steps would be taken to protect national interests. India also emphasized that the US and the European Union continue trade with Russia, including the US importing uranium and palladium from Russia.
Amid tensions with the US, India continues to maintain ties with its longstanding and reliable partner, Russia, while also making consistent efforts to improve relations with China.
India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on August 8, 2025. The visit focused on security, economic, and energy cooperation, with an emphasis on strengthening the India-Russia strategic partnership. Doval described the partnership as “very special.”
This visit is seen as part of India’s strategy to balance US pressure and strengthen ties with Russia. Doval’s trip to Russia reflects India’s diplomatic approach to maintaining balanced global relations in response to US tariffs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China from August 31 to September 1, 2025, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin.This will be his first visit to China since the 2020 India-China military clash in the Galwan Valley, Ladakh. Modi’s last visit to China was in 2019. The visit is significant in the context of the US imposing a 50% tariff on India due to its oil purchases from Russia. During the visit, Modi may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom he last met in October 2024 at the BRICS summit in Russia. Key discussion points will include trade, counter-terrorism, regional security, and strengthening bilateral ties.
Prior to this, Modi will visit Japan on August 30, 2025, to attend the annual summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This visit underscores India’s diplomatic strategy to strengthen ties with allies like China and Japan to maintain global balance amid US pressure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the 23rd India-Russia Summit in India in 2025. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the Kremlin confirmed that preparations for Putin’s visit are underway, marking his first trip to India since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022.
Doval, during his August 8, 2025, meeting in Moscow, stated that the dates for Putin’s visit are nearly finalized and likely to occur by the end of 2025. The visit will focus on strengthening India-Russia ties, increasing trade to $100 billion by 2030, and enhancing cooperation in defense, energy, and trade routes like the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor.
This visit is significant in the context of US tariffs imposed due to India’s Russian oil purchases.Modi also invited Putin to Russia’s Victory Day Parade on May 9, 2025. However, according to Indian government sources, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the event instead of Modi.
Modi’s invitation to Putin and efforts to strengthen India-Russia ties reflect India’s independent diplomatic strategy in response to US pressure.