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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a significant meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on August 21, 2025. The high-stakes encounter came against a backdrop of escalating US tariffs on Indian goods, heightening geopolitical sensitivities and underscoring India and Russia’s enduring strategic partnership.
Key Highlights of the Jaishankar-Putin Meeting
Jaishankar's visit coincides with a three-day diplomatic mission aimed at consolidating the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between India and Russia, preparing for the annual leaders’ summit scheduled later this year.
Prior to the meeting with Putin, Jaishankar engaged in extensive talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, focusing on bolstering trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation.
The meeting reaffirmed the steady political relationship between the two countries, described by Jaishankar as “among the steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War,” reflecting deep historic ties and mutual trust.
Discussions emphasized expanding cooperation across sectors such as transport, logistics, energy, agriculture, science, technology, and finance, with a concerted push to develop links immune to external geopolitical pressures.
Both leaders stressed the importance of increasing the use of national currencies in trade settlements as a strategic measure to mitigate adverse effects of sanctions and tariffs.
Context of Rising US Tariffs and Diplomatic Responses
The Trump administration recently imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, including a 25% reciprocal tax on Indian goods and another 25% levy targeting India’s purchase of Russian oil, aiming to curtail Russia’s revenue amid its Ukraine conflict.
Jaishankar publicly questioned the logic behind these tariffs during a joint briefing with Lavrov, clarifying that India is not the largest buyer of Russian oil (that distinction belongs to China) and not the biggest trading partner with Russia post-2022.
He stressed India’s commitment to global energy market stability by diversifying oil imports from various countries, including the US, underscoring India’s nuanced balancing act in foreign policy and trade.
India-Russia Economic and Strategic Partnership
Trade between the two nations has surged dramatically, rising from $13 billion in 2021 to an estimated $68 billion in 2024-25, largely driven by enhanced energy cooperation.
Jaishankar highlighted the need to address trade imbalances by expanding Indian exports of pharmaceuticals, agriculture products, textiles, and skilled labor services such as IT, construction, and engineering.
Infrastructure initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor were discussed to ease logistics and boost connectivity.
Broader Significance and Future Trajectory
The meeting signals India’s firm stance on preserving strategic partnerships despite external pressures, emphasizing independent foreign policy decision-making.
Both sides committed to sustaining and broadening defense cooperation and science and technology collaborations aligned with mutual interests.
Preparations for President Putin’s visit to India later in the year are progressing, reflecting ongoing high-level engagement.
Conclusion
The Jaishankar-Putin meeting in Moscow reaffirmed the resilience and depth of India-Russia relations during a complex geopolitical era. Against a backdrop of rising global trade tensions and sanctions, the leaders prioritized collaboration, innovation, and diversified economic ties. The encounter underlines a shared vision to strengthen bilateral partnership and navigate international challenges with mutual respect and strategic foresight.
Sources: Times of India, NDTV, New Indian Express, India Today
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