Discussion following Putin-Modi summit in Alaska: Key Points Revealed
India and Russia continue to maintain a strong political and diplomatic relationship, with the ongoing Ukraine war having minimal impact on their ties. This is despite India's strategic autonomy policy, which has led to new tensions with the United States due to tariffs imposed on Indian goods over its continued imports of Russian oil.
Political and diplomatic ties between India and Russia have remained strong since the Cold War era and even strengthened in some areas amid the Ukraine conflict. India has maintained a policy of strategic autonomy, avoiding taking sides explicitly against Russia while balancing its growing ties with the West, especially the US[1][2]. Russia values its relationship with India as a long-standing partnership that supports multipolarity and non-Western global influence, and it encourages India to remain an independent global player[1][2].
India has refrained from joining Western economic sanctions against Russia or adopting a confrontational stance on the Ukraine war, instead calling for peaceful conflict resolution[2][4]. However, the US government, under former President Trump’s administration, announced doubling tariffs on Indian goods starting August 27, 2025, in response to India’s continued imports of Russian oil despite US sanctions[3][5]. This tariff move is seen as part of US pressure on India to reduce its Russian oil imports, challenging India's foreign policy emphasis on strategic autonomy[3][5].
India responded firmly, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly supporting domestic small entrepreneurs and farmers who may be affected by the tariffs, signaling resistance to US economic coercion[5]. Despite the tariffs, India continues to publicly endorse diplomatic efforts for peace, such as the US-Russia summit aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict[4].
In a tweet, PM Modi expressed gratitude to Putin, referring to him as a "friend," and reiterated India's consistent position on the Russia-Ukraine war, calling for a peaceful resolution and supporting all efforts in this regard[6]. However, the tariff increase on Indian goods was not addressed by Putin or Trump in their press conference following the meeting, and it is unclear if it was discussed during their conversation[6].
In summary, India-Russia relations remain resilient and largely unaffected politically by the Ukraine war, with India balancing ties between Russia and the West. However, India faces economic pressure from the US through tariffs triggered by its Russian oil imports, causing strain in the India-US relationship.
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