Russia-India Discuss Strategic Partnership After Increased Trump Tariffs

JAKARTA - Russia and India affirmed their commitment to a "strategic partnership" in bilateral security negotiations in Moscow on Thursday, a day after US President Donald Trump announced a higher import rate than India for buying Russian oil.

The Interfax news agency quoted India's national security adviser, Ajit Doval, as saying New Delhi was awaiting President Vladimir Putin's visit at the end of the year.

In a meeting with Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, the two sides emphasized the importance of relations between the two countries.

Trump's 25% additional tariffs on goods from India took effect on August 28, signaling the most serious slump in US-India relations since he returned to office in January, threatening to disrupt India's access to its largest export market.

"We are committed to continuing active cooperation to form a new world order that is fairer and more sustainable, ensuring the supremacy of international law, and jointly fighting modern challenges and threats," Shoigu told Doval in a televised statement.

"We have now established a very good relationship, which we really appreciate, a strategic partnership between the two countries," he continued.

India and China have been the main buyers of Russian crude oil transported by sea since Moscow launched a massive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prompting Western efforts to stifle Russia's economy.

Trump previously threatened to take action against countries buying Russian oil before he announced new rates for Indian goods, which raised total import duties to 50%.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin accused the United States of imposing illegal trade pressure on New Delhi, saying India has the right to trade with whoever it chooses.

Indian state oil refineries have stopped buying Russian oil as the discounts narrowen and Trump warned other countries not to buy Moscow oil, industry sources said.

Private oil refineries Reliance Industries and Nayara are Russia's main oil clients in India, according to trade data.

An Indian official familiar with the matter said Doval would discuss buying Russian crude oil by India during his visit to Moscow.

He is also expected to discuss Indian defense collaboration with Russia, the official said.

India signed a $5.5 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five S-400 Triumf long-range land-to-air missile systems, which New Delhi says are needed to counter threats from China.

However, the delivery of the system has been delayed several times. Moscow is expected to send units from the last two S-400 systems to India by 2026 and 2027.

New Delhi has traditionally relied heavily on arms imports from Russia, although it has drastically reduced imports and switched to Western buyers in recent years.