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India’s top officials, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, are set to visit Moscow this month. This move comes right after U.S. President Donald Trump slammed India and Russia, calling them “dead economies.” He also hit India with a 25% tariff on goods and warned of extra penalties for its trade with Russia. At AMERICA NEWS WORLD, we dive into what this means for India, Russia, and global trade.
Trump’s harsh words came on Thursday via Truth Social. He criticized India’s high tariffs, claiming they block U.S. trade. “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” he posted. He also took a jab at Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev, warning him to “watch his words.” The tariffs, effective August 1, 2025, target India’s growing energy and defense ties with Moscow. But why is India sticking with Russia despite the pressure? Let’s break it down.
Why India’s Moscow Visit Matters
Doval might travel early this month, while Jaishankar is expected around mid-August, according to The Economic Times. Their agenda includes defense deals, regional issues, and boosting trade. India’s oil imports from Russia have skyrocketed from 0.2% before the Ukraine war to nearly 40% today. This makes India Russia’s second-biggest oil buyer after China. Meanwhile, India continues to buy Russian weapons, ignoring Western sanctions.
These visits show India’s commitment to its long-standing friendship with Russia. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has often defended this relationship. In 2023, he called India-Russia ties “the one constant in world politics.” With bilateral trade hitting $68.7 billion in FY2024-25, India aims to reach $100 billion by 2030. But Trump’s tariffs could throw a wrench in these plans.
Trump’s Tariff Blitz: What’s at Stake?
Trump’s 25% tariff on Indian goods is part of his broader trade strategy. He’s pushing countries to cut ties with Russia over the Ukraine war. India, however, isn’t backing down. Indian officials say their oil purchases are about securing energy for 1.4 billion people, not politics. “We buy oil based on market conditions,” a senior official told The Hindustan Times. Interestingly, India has also boosted U.S. oil imports by 51% in 2025, showing it’s trying to balance ties with both powers.
Here’s a look at India’s trade with Russia and the U.S.:
, we dive into what this means for India, Russia, and global trade.Trump’s harsh words came on Thursday via Truth Social. He criticized India’s high tariffs, claiming they block U.S. trade. “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” he posted. He also took a jab at Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev, warning him to “watch his words.” The tariffs, effective August 1, 2025, target India’s growing energy and defense ties with Moscow. But why is India sticking with Russia despite the pressure? Let’s break it down.### Why India’s Moscow Visit MattersDoval might travel early this month, while Jaishankar is expected around mid-August, according to *The Economic Times*. Their agenda includes defense deals, regional issues, and boosting trade. India’s oil imports from Russia have skyrocketed from 0.2% before the Ukraine war to nearly 40% today. This makes India Russia’s second-biggest oil buyer after China. Meanwhile, India continues to buy Russian weapons, ignoring Western sanctions.These visits show India’s commitment to its long-standing friendship with Russia. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has often defended this relationship. In 2023, he called India-Russia ties “the one constant in world politics.” With bilateral trade hitting $68.7 billion in FY2024-25, India aims to reach $100 billion by 2030. But Trump’s tariffs could throw a wrench in these plans.### Trump’s Tariff Blitz: What’s at Stake?Trump’s 25% tariff on Indian goods is part of his broader trade strategy. He’s pushing countries to cut ties with Russia over the Ukraine war. India, however, isn’t backing down. Indian officials say their oil purchases are about securing energy for 1.4 billion people, not politics. “We buy oil based on market conditions,” a senior official told *The Hindustan Times*. Interestingly, India has also boosted U.S. oil imports by 51% in 2025, showing it’s trying to balance ties with both powers.Here’s a look at India’s trade with Russia and the U.S.:```chartjs{ "type": "bar", "data": { "labels": ["Russia (Oil Imports)", "U.S. (Oil Imports)", "Russia (Total Trade)", "U.S. (Total Trade)"], "datasets": [ { "label": "Trade Volume (FY2024-25)", "data": [63.84, 3.7, 68.7, 186], "backgroundColor": ["#FF6384", "#36A2EB", "#FFCE56", "#4BC0C0"], "borderColor": ["#FF6384", "#36A2EB", "#FFCE56", "#4BC0C0"], "borderWidth": 1 } ] }, "options": { "scales": { "y": { "beginAtZero": true, "title": { "display": true, "text": "Trade Volume ($ Billion)" } }, "x": { "title": { "display": true, "text": "Trade Partners" } } }, "plugins": { "legend": { "display": true, "position": "top" }, "title": { "display": true, "text": "India’s Trade with Russia and U.S. (FY2024-25)" } }, "responsive": true, "maintainAspectRatio": false }}```This chart, viewable on both mobile and desktop, shows India’s heavy reliance on Russian oil and its growing U.S. trade. While Russia dominates India’s oil imports, the U.S. remains a key trade partner with $186 billion in bilateral trade.### India’s Tightrope WalkIndia’s balancing act isn’t easy. On one hand, it needs Russian oil and weapons for energy and security. On the other, it wants to keep the U.S. happy to protect its $44.4 billion trade surplus. Trump’s tariffs could hurt Indian exports like drugs, telecom gear, and garments. Yet, India’s also stepping up U.S. energy imports, with LNG purchases nearly doubling to $2.46 billion in FY2024-25.Jaishankar has been vocal about India’s stance. In 2024, he pointed out Europe’s own reliance on Russian fuel during the Ukraine war’s early days. “Europe imported more fossil fuels from Russia than the next 10 countries combined,” he said. This highlights the double standards in Western criticism of India’s Russia ties.### What’s Next for India-Russia Ties?Doval and Jaishankar’s Moscow trips signal that India won’t bow to U.S. pressure. They’ll likely discuss defense deals, Arctic cooperation, and trade growth. India’s also exploring rupee-rouble payment systems to dodge Western sanctions. However, Trump’s “penalty” for Russia ties remains unclear. Some speculate it could involve secondary tariffs up to 500%, targeting countries like India and China.At [AMERICA NEWS WORLD](https://america112.com/), we’re watching how India navigates this storm. Will it stick with Russia or pivot to the U.S.? The answer could shape global trade for years.### Global Context: Trump’s Tariff StrategyTrump’s tariffs aren’t just about India. He’s hit countries like Canada, Japan, and the EU with levies to push trade deals. For instance, the EU secured a 15% tariff cap after negotiations. India, however, faces one of Asia’s highest rates at 25%. Pakistan, with a 19% tariff, and Bangladesh, at 20%, fared better. This has sparked debate about Trump favoring Pakistan, especially with new U.S.-Pakistan oil deals.For more on Trump’s global tariff moves, check out this [NBC News report](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/trump-tariffs-india-russia-penalty-trade-deals-rcna163245).### Why This Matters to YouWhether you’re in India, the U.S., or elsewhere, these tariffs affect global markets. Higher costs for Indian goods could raise prices for consumers worldwide. Plus, India’s energy choices impact oil prices everywhere. By staying informed with [AMERICA NEWS WORLD](https://america112.com/), you’ll understand how these shifts affect your wallet.India’s Moscow visits show it’s not backing down from its Russia partnership, despite Trump’s tariffs and threats. Doval and Jaishankar aim to strengthen ties while balancing U.S. demands. As trade tensions rise, India’s next moves will be crucial. Keep up with the latest at [AMERICA NEWS WORLD](https://america112.com/) for updates on this unfolding story.](https://i0.wp.com/america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/chart-75.png?resize=623%2C433&ssl=1)
This chart, viewable on both mobile and desktop, shows India’s heavy reliance on Russian oil and its growing U.S. trade. While Russia dominates India’s oil imports, the U.S. remains a key trade partner with $186 billion in bilateral trade.
India’s Tightrope Walk
India’s balancing act isn’t easy. On one hand, it needs Russian oil and weapons for energy and security. On the other, it wants to keep the U.S. happy to protect its $44.4 billion trade surplus. Trump’s tariffs could hurt Indian exports like drugs, telecom gear, and garments. Yet, India’s also stepping up U.S. energy imports, with LNG purchases nearly doubling to $2.46 billion in FY2024-25.
Jaishankar has been vocal about India’s stance. In 2024, he pointed out Europe’s own reliance on Russian fuel during the Ukraine war’s early days. “Europe imported more fossil fuels from Russia than the next 10 countries combined,” he said. This highlights the double standards in Western criticism of India’s Russia ties.
What’s Next for India-Russia Ties?
Doval and Jaishankar’s Moscow trips signal that India won’t bow to U.S. pressure. They’ll likely discuss defense deals, Arctic cooperation, and trade growth. India’s also exploring rupee-rouble payment systems to dodge Western sanctions. However, Trump’s “penalty” for Russia ties remains unclear. Some speculate it could involve secondary tariffs up to 500%, targeting countries like India and China.
At AMERICA NEWS WORLD, we’re watching how India navigates this storm. Will it stick with Russia or pivot to the U.S.? The answer could shape global trade for years.
Global Context: Trump’s Tariff Strategy
Trump’s tariffs aren’t just about India. He’s hit countries like Canada, Japan, and the EU with levies to push trade deals. For instance, the EU secured a 15% tariff cap after negotiations. India, however, faces one of Asia’s highest rates at 25%. Pakistan, with a 19% tariff, and Bangladesh, at 20%, fared better. This has sparked debate about Trump favoring Pakistan, especially with new U.S.-Pakistan oil deals.
For more on Trump’s global tariff moves, check out this NBC News report.
Why This Matters to You
Whether you’re in India, the U.S., or elsewhere, these tariffs affect global markets. Higher costs for Indian goods could raise prices for consumers worldwide. Plus, India’s energy choices impact oil prices everywhere. By staying informed with AMERICA NEWS WORLD, you’ll understand how these shifts affect your wallet.
India’s Moscow visits show it’s not backing down from its Russia partnership, despite Trump’s tariffs and threats. Doval and Jaishankar aim to strengthen ties while balancing U.S. demands. As trade tensions rise, India’s next moves will be crucial. Keep up with the latest at AMERICA NEWS WORLD for updates on this unfolding story.
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![Reliance Industries, led by Chairman Mukesh Ambani, has exported products made from Russian crude oil to countries that have sanctioned Russia, including the US [File: Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]](https://america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AP24010199793503-1755298275.webp)
![In India, a big protest is coming up. About 300 MPs from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc will march to the Election Commission office. This happens on August 11. They say it's against "vote chori," which means vote theft. And they point fingers at SIR. SIR stands for Special Intensive Revision. It's a way to update voter lists. But the opposition thinks it's not fair. First, let's talk about why this matters. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc includes parties like Congress and others. They feel SIR deletes real voters. Especially in places like Bihar. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, has spoken out. He says SIR lets "vote chori" happen. For example, he claims over 1 lakh votes got stolen in Karnataka before. Now, in Bihar, 35 lakh voters are untraceable. That's a huge number. Moreover, Mallikarjun Kharge will host a dinner for these MPs on Monday. That's today, August 10. It's to bring everyone together. Rahul hosted one before. So, they plan as a team. Then, the march starts from Parliament. They want the EC to stop SIR or make it fair. However, the government says SIR cleans up lists. It removes fake or dead voters. The Election Commission started SIR in Bihar from June 24 to July 25. They had 7.89 crore voters at the start. Over 7.24 crore sent back forms. That shows many joined in. But some did not. Reasons include moving away or not found. Here is complete data from the Press Information Bureau. It covers key findings. - Total electors before SIR: 7.89 crore - Forms submitted: 7.24 crore - Online forms filled: Over 16 lakh - Forms downloaded: Over 13 lakh - SMS sent for awareness: 5.7 crore - Acknowledgment SMS: 10.2 crore On deletions and additions, more comes later. Draft list out on August 1. Claims until September 1. No name deletes without notice. Now, look at Booth Level Agents (BLAs). They help check lists. Numbers went up by 16%. Here is a table: Party | Before SIR | After SIR | Change (%) --- | --- | --- | --- Bharatiya Janata Party | 51,964 | 53,338 | +3% Indian National Congress | 8,586 | 17,549 | +105% Rashtriya Janata Dal | 47,143 | 47,506 | +1% Janata Dal (United) | 27,931 | 36,550 | +31% Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 76 | 899 | +1083% Others (total) | 1,38,680 | 1,60,813 | +16% This table shows how parties stepped up. Congress doubled agents. It helps watch the process. For a graph, imagine a bar chart. It shows BLA changes per party. Bars for BJP in blue, short rise. Congress in green, tall bar up. CPI(M) in red, very tall. Total in black. This graph highlights opposition push. It works on mobile and computer. Use colors for highlight: blue for low change, red for high. [Image: Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav protesting in Parliament over SIR. They hold signs saying "Stop Vote Chori." Credit: Hindustan Times. Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/news/stop-sir-opposition-protest-over-bihar-electoral-roll-row-in-parliament-in-pics-101753689375847.html] This protest could shake things up. Not just in India. Around the world, people watch elections. In Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica too, though few there. Fair votes matter everywhere. Like in the US or UK, voter lists get checked. But claims of bias hurt trust. Besides, young people care. If you are 18, check your vote. Old folks remember past polls. All ages can see why clean lists help. But not if it deletes real ones. Meanwhile, the bloc wants talks in Parliament. But no luck yet. They march instead. Sources say it's peaceful. Yet strong. For more on this, read the original story. It's from Deccan Herald: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/vote-chori-protest-300-india-bloc-mps-to-march-to-ec-office-against-sir-on-august-11-3674236 Also, stay updated with us. Visit AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW) at https://america112.com/ for global takes on Indian news. We cover it all. In addition, this links to bigger issues. Like in 2019, Kharge said bogus votes cost them. Now, they fight back. Rahul calls for clean rolls. It's key for free polls. Furthermore, Bihar SIR shows gaps. Many migrants can't fill forms easy. Online helps, but not all have net. EC sent SMS, but some miss. To wrap up, watch August 11. Will EC listen? Or more protests? It affects next polls. One more thing, for latest world news with India focus, check AMERICA NEWS WORLD at https://america112.com/. We aim for truth.](https://america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/deccanherald_2025-08-10_va0tirfq_PTI08082025000165A.avif)
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