Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 1, their first in-person meeting since US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on India’s imports of Russian oil to 50 per cent. Earlier in August, Putin met Trump at the Alaska summit and held two phone conversations with Modi, one before and one after his talks with the US President. Ahead of Modi’s departure for the SCO summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke to him to convey a strategic message.
Trump’s 50 Per cent Tariff On India
The meeting comes at a sensitive moment, as US President Donald Trump has criticised India for purchasing Russian oil and imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on top of the existing 25 per cent duty. India has described this as unfair targeting, pointing out that while countries like China and those in Europe are also buying discounted Russian oil, Washington has chosen to single out New Delhi. According to Donald Trump, the additional tariff is a “punishment” for India’s continued oil trade with Moscow. The US President alleges that India’s money is also being used by Russia to fund its war against Ukraine.
Will There Be Talks On Trump Tariff Between Modi And Putin
Experts and international analysts believe that there might be talks between PM Modi and the Russian President Vladimir Putin over the additional and unjustified tariffs of 50 per cent on Indian goods by Donald Trump Administration.
PM Modi In SCO Summit
As Modi arrived in Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Zelenskyy spoke to him, urging that “the end of this (Ukraine) war must begin with an immediate ceasefire.” Zelenskyy also said that “India is ready to make the necessary efforts and to deliver the appropriate signal to Russia and other leaders” at the summit.
According to the PMO, on August 18 — three days after meeting Trump — Putin called Modi and “shared his insights” on the Alaska meeting. This came just hours before Trump met Zelenskyy and European leaders. Earlier, on August 9, Modi and Putin discussed “the latest developments on Ukraine” and reaffirmed their “commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” during a phone call ahead of the Alaska talks.
