N※N

Show Travel and Leisure Publications

Doval's Russia Visit Highlights India's Balancing Act Amid Trump Tariffs

Doval's High-Stakes Visit to Russia Amid Trump's Tariff Escalation

In a move underscoring India's delicate balancing act in global geopolitics, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval embarked on a crucial visit to Russia on August 7, 2025, just as US President Donald Trump announced a dramatic doubling of tariffs on key imports, sending shockwaves through international trade networks. The timing of Doval's trip highlights the intensifying interplay between economic pressures and strategic alliances, with India seeking to deepen ties with Moscow while navigating the fallout from Washington's aggressive trade policies.

Doval, a seasoned diplomat and security expert known for his role in shaping India's foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrived in Moscow for what officials described as high-level consultations on bilateral and multilateral issues. Sources close to the Indian delegation indicated that the agenda included discussions on defense cooperation, energy security, and counter-terrorism efforts. This visit comes at a pivotal moment for India-Russia relations, which have historically been robust, dating back to the Cold War era when the Soviet Union was a key ally for New Delhi. In recent years, however, the partnership has faced strains due to Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the subsequent Western sanctions, which have complicated India's procurement of Russian military hardware and oil.

One of the focal points of Doval's meetings was expected to be with his Russian counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council. The two have a history of close collaboration, having met multiple times in the past to address shared concerns such as the situation in Afghanistan and the rise of extremism in Central Asia. Insiders suggest that Doval aimed to reinforce India's commitment to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS frameworks, where both nations play leading roles. With BRICS expanding to include new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, there is a growing emphasis on creating alternative economic mechanisms that could insulate emerging markets from Western-dominated financial systems.

The backdrop to Doval's visit is Trump's bold tariff hike, which he unveiled in a White House address earlier that day. The US president, fulfilling a campaign promise from his 2024 re-election bid, announced a doubling of tariffs on a wide range of goods, primarily targeting Chinese exports but also affecting products from other nations including India, Mexico, and parts of Europe. Trump justified the move as a necessary step to "protect American workers and revive domestic manufacturing," citing unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. The tariffs, set to rise from an average of 10-15% to 20-30% on items like electronics, steel, and automobiles, are projected to impact global supply chains profoundly. Economists warn that this could lead to higher consumer prices in the US and retaliatory measures from affected countries, potentially sparking a new trade war reminiscent of Trump's first term.

For India, the implications are multifaceted. As a major exporter of software services, pharmaceuticals, and textiles to the US, New Delhi stands to lose billions in trade revenue if the tariffs extend to its sectors. Indian officials have expressed concern that the hikes could disrupt the burgeoning US-India economic partnership, which has seen bilateral trade surpass $200 billion annually. However, India's diversified trade strategy—bolstered by initiatives like "Make in India" and free trade agreements with countries in the Indo-Pacific—positions it to mitigate some damages by pivoting towards markets in Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Doval's trip to Russia is seen by analysts as a strategic hedge against these uncertainties. Russia, facing its own isolation from Western markets due to sanctions over Ukraine, has increasingly turned to India as a reliable partner. Bilateral trade between the two nations has surged in recent years, reaching over $65 billion in 2024, driven largely by discounted Russian oil imports that have helped India manage its energy needs amid global price volatility. During the visit, discussions reportedly touched on expanding this cooperation into new areas, such as joint ventures in nuclear energy, space technology, and Arctic resource exploration. India has been cautious not to alienate the West, maintaining a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict by abstaining from UN resolutions condemning Russia while continuing to purchase Russian arms like the S-400 missile defense system.

Experts believe Doval's engagement could also address the broader geopolitical ramifications of Trump's policies. With the US adopting a more isolationist and protectionist stance under Trump 2.0, there is speculation that it might push allies like India towards closer alignment with non-Western blocs. "India is walking a tightrope," noted Dr. Rajiv Kumar, a foreign policy analyst at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. "While the US remains a critical partner for technology and defense, Russia's reliability in times of crisis cannot be overlooked. Trump's tariffs could accelerate India's multipolar foreign policy, emphasizing strategic autonomy."

The visit also coincides with preparations for the upcoming BRICS summit later in 2025, where leaders are expected to deliberate on de-dollarization efforts and the creation of a common currency basket to reduce dependence on the US dollar. Russia, as the current BRICS chair, has been vocal about these initiatives, and Doval's input could shape India's position. Furthermore, security dialogues likely included updates on the Indo-Pacific region, where India's Quad partnership with the US, Japan, and Australia contrasts with Russia's growing ties to China.

As Doval wrapped up his meetings, preliminary reports suggested positive outcomes, including agreements on enhanced intelligence sharing and joint military exercises. However, the shadow of Trump's tariffs loomed large, with Indian diplomats signaling readiness to engage in talks with Washington to seek exemptions or negotiated settlements. The US ambassador to India, in a statement, affirmed that the tariffs were not aimed at straining ties with New Delhi but rather at addressing global imbalances.

This episode encapsulates the evolving dynamics of a multipolar world, where economic weapons like tariffs intersect with security alliances. For India, Doval's Russia outreach represents a pragmatic step to safeguard national interests amid uncertainty. As global leaders monitor the fallout, the coming months will test whether such diplomatic maneuvers can prevent a broader unraveling of international trade norms. Trump's move, while domestically popular, risks isolating the US further, potentially benefiting rivals like Russia and China in their quest for influence in the Global South.

In the long term, analysts predict that sustained high tariffs could accelerate shifts in global manufacturing, with countries like India positioning themselves as alternatives to China. Doval's visit, therefore, is not just a bilateral engagement but a signal of India's intent to forge resilient partnerships in an era of economic turbulence. As one Russian official put it during the talks, "In times of storm, true friends stand together." Whether this friendship can weather the storms brewed in Washington remains to be seen, but for now, it underscores India's agile diplomacy in a fractured world order. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full rediff.com Article at:
[ https://www.rediff.com/news/report/doval-travels-to-russia-as-trump-doubles-tariffs/20250807.htm ]