Overview

• Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Vladimir Putin will travel to India in December and will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in Tianjin to discuss preparations.
• The confirmation comes days after President Donald Trump’s administration activated new tariffs on Indian imports over New Delhi’s continued purchases of discounted Russian crude.
• New Delhi has defended buying from Moscow as a supply-driven decision focused on energy security for 1.4 billion people after traditional flows shifted to Europe.
• Since 2022, Russia has redirected energy exports from Europe to buyers including India and China, preserving significant revenue despite Western efforts to curb it.
• Putin’s overseas travel has been limited since the ICC issued a warrant, but India is not an ICC member and would not be obliged to detain him during a state visit.