External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to Russia, met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. The high-level meeting came against the backdrop of steep US tariffs of 50 per cent on Indian goods, announced by the Trump administration over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. Washington has argued that such imports indirectly fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
‘Doing more and doing differently should be our mantra’: Jaishankar meets Putin in Moscow
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar described India-Russia ties as “the steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War.” His Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov echoed this view, calling the partnership a “special strategic partnership” shaped by the vision of both countries’ leaders.
Jaishankar, who held trade and economic talks with Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, said the meeting was an opportunity to review both political ties and bilateral cooperation. He urged stronger economic engagement and called on Russian firms to work “more intensively” with Indian partners.
Speaking in Moscow alongside Manturov, Jaishankar said both countries must diversify their trade basket and expand joint ventures. “Doing more and doing differently should be our mantra,” he said.
He also listed key priorities: “The tariff and non-tariff barriers, removing bottlenecks in logistics, promoting connectivity through the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Northern Sea Route and the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor, and ensuring smooth payment mechanisms. These are the main issues.”
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Surging Trade and Growing Deficit
India-Russia trade has expanded sharply in recent years, rising from USD 13 billion in 2021 to USD 68 billion in 2024-25, largely due to Indian imports of Russian hydrocarbons. The Russian Embassy in New Delhi estimated overall growth at 700 per cent in five years.
However, Jaishankar flagged the growing imbalance in trade. India’s deficit with Russia, USD 6.6 billion in 2021, has now widened to nearly USD 59 billion.
On Wednesday, Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in India, Roman Babushkin, said bilateral ties remain on an “upward trajectory” despite Western sanctions and global pressure. He underlined that energy and defence continue to be crucial pillars of the relationship.
US Tariffs Cast Shadow Over Talks
The Moscow discussions were held amid fresh strain in India-US ties after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, adding an additional 25 per cent levy as a penalty for Russian crude imports.
The White House said the move was aimed at pressuring Moscow by limiting its trade partnerships. Without directly mentioning Washington’s decision, Jaishankar admitted the talks were taking place “in the backdrop of a complex geopolitical situation” but stressed that New Delhi and Moscow remain “closely and regularly engaged” at the leadership level.
Jaishankar’s three-day visit is aimed at consolidating what both sides continue to describe as a “time-tested” strategic partnership.
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