India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval reached Moscow on Tuesday to hold important talks with Russian officials. According to the Russian news agency TASS, the discussions will focus on strengthening the strategic partnership, defence ties, and security cooperation between India and Russia.

This visit is part of a scheduled meeting, but it has garnered attention due to recent tensions between the United States and the country. The Trump-led US administration has been warning countries, including India, about maintaining close ties with Russia. President Donald Trump recently announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, calling it a penalty for India’s ongoing partnership with Russia.

A source told TASS that, apart from defence cooperation, the talks will also address current global tensions and issues, such as the supply of Russian oil to India. India has been buying Russian oil in large quantities since global oil prices spiked, and this has become a point of criticism from Western countries.

Earlier this month, President Trump claimed that India and Russia are "taking their dead economies down together," suggesting that their continued partnership is hurting both nations. He also pointed out that India has traditionally bought most of its military equipment from Russia and is now one of Russia’s biggest energy buyers, alongside China.

Responding to these comments, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the criticism from the US and the European Union (EU) "unjustified." The MEA said that many Western countries still trade with Russia, especially in energy, and had earlier encouraged countries like India to buy Russian oil to help stabilise global markets.

The MEA also stated that India will continue to protect its national interests and economic security. It highlighted the double standards of some Western countries, noting that the EU's trade with Russia in 2024 was much higher than India's. While Ajit Doval’s visit to Moscow was planned, it has become even more significant due to increasing international pressure and the need to defend India's foreign policy choices in a rapidly changing global environment.