The National Security Advisor(NSA) and spymaster Ajit Kumar Doval is a retired IPS officer. Recently, Ajit Doval has been in the spotlight due to his diplomatic engagement with Russia. The visit was more than just a bureaucratic visit, but preparations for the Modi-Putin summit.
‘In a world where countries are breaking alliances and declaring war, India-Russia ties stay rock strong.’ Despite Donald Trump’s (President of America) tariff threats, Ajit Doval’s high-level visit signifies India’s strategic interests and draws global attention in the evolving geopolitics. Let us dive deeper into how this visit was a game-changer in political relations and strategic cooperation.
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India-Russia Relationship Background-
The bond between India and Russia dates back to the Soviet Era. The history of the relationship stands still in the storm of evolving economic and power dynamics. Below is a short background of India-Russia relations:
- The relationship between India and Russia was deeply rooted during the formation of the Soviet Union in 1947.
- In 1965, a war between India and Pakistan broke out. The Soviet Union(USSR) entered as a mediator, and a Tashkent summit(1966) was hosted, where they signed a peace treaty.
- During the Indo-Pakistan War(1971), also called the Cold War, where the US and China supported Pakistan(which is their trading route), the Soviet Union backed India.
- The two nations collaborated on space programs, where Russia offered services to Indian satellites such as Aryabhata and Bhaskara.
- Russia took sides with India on Kashmir and other matters.
- In 1991, the Soviet Union fell, and Moscow adopted Western policies. However, it doesn’t impact their relationship.
- Putin’s visit to India in 2000 transformed strategic cooperation into Special and Privileged Partners(2010).
- They strengthen their relationship through military discussions, diplomatic visits and trade & investment.
- Russia solemnised its relations with India on its 65th anniversary(April 13 2012).
- Initiatives like the North-South Transport Corridor and the India-Russia 2+2 Ministerial level dialogue have kept them engaged.
- No global tensions or political instabilities have affected India-Russia relations.
Significance of Doval’s Visit to Russia-
The Ajit Doval Strategic meeting with Russian key role players was a response to Trump’s warning of increasing the 50% tariff hike on all Indian goods. It represents that India is independent in its decision-making and chooses to continue buying Russian Oil.
During this visit on 6th or 7th August 2025 in Moscow(Russia), Ajit Doval met:
- Russia’s Security Council Secretary, Sergey Shoigu, discussed joint defence systems and energy.
- Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Menturov, for military technical operations and joint projects(chemical industry, civil aircraft, metallurgy, etc.)
- President Vladimir Putin(at the Kremlin) for a strategic relationship and Putin’s visit to India for the bilateral agenda.
The Doval’s high-level visit signifies:
- Despite the immense pressure of Western countries to break ties with Russia, this visit proved that India and Russia’s relationship stands stronger than any political tensions.
- Meeting with Sergey Shoigu and Denis Menturov indicates strengthening technical and military collaboration. It will be a breakthrough in joint military projects and industrial engagement, specifically defence and infrastructure development.
- PM Modi and Putin’s discussion will be held for the bilateral summit in India that will be held next year.
- Also, it reflected India’s commitment to its longed partner Russia and independent foreign policies that are not shaped by political influence.
Importance of this Visit:
- Latest defence systems
- Affordable energy supplies
- Counter Terrorism Collaboration
- Trusted Partner for International forums like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Final Words-
The main key takeaway from this visit was that India will protect its strategic autonomy and independent decisions without harming its ties with Western countries and Russia. Also, the motive of this visit was a discussion on economic and development matters such as defence, resources, cybersecurity and trade connectivity to reshape Eurasian political scenarios in the upcoming years. Moreover, threats from the West did not affect Indo-Russian relationships, and the two nations continued as trusted partners.