• Source:JND
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National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday in a high-level diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening the India-Russia strategic partnership. The meeting came at a crucial time, just as US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil, raising the total duty to 50 per cent.

A video released by the Kremlin press service showed Putin greeting Doval warmly, followed by discussions on regional and global security matters. Prior to this, Doval held talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, who reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to a “just and sustainable world order” and enhancing cooperation with India.

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India Slams US Tariff Hike

Earlier today, Doval met Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, who highlighted the "strong, time-tested ties of friendship" between the two nations. "A multi-level trust-based political dialogue is effectively functioning between our countries now. It is based on regular contacts between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi. It is important to determine the dates for the next full-scale negotiations between our leaders," he was quoted as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.

Trump has announced a two-phase tariff hike on Indian goods, starting with a 25 per cent increase on August 7, with another hike set for 21 days later unless talks intervene. India condemned the move as "unfortunate," calling the tariffs "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable." Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that India would take all necessary steps to defend its economic sovereignty. 

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NSA Ajit Doval also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India later this year, with dates being finalised. In a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Doval expressed enthusiasm, calling past summits “watershed moments” and highlighting the importance of the upcoming engagement.