India is stepping up high-level diplomatic engagements with Russia and China as uncertainty looms over trade ties with the United States following recent high tariffs on Indian goods.
Jaishankar to Russia
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Russia on August 21 to hold discussions with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The visit is part of preparatory consultations ahead of the next Russia-India annual summit, during which President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later this year.
“The Ministers will discuss key issues on our bilateral agenda, as well as aspects of cooperation within the international framework,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry. Jaishankar’s trip follows National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s visit to Russia, where he met his counterpart Sergey Shoigu and had a special audience with President Putin. Shortly afterward, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a detailed telephonic conversation with Mr. Putin.
Wang Yi’s Visit to India
Sources indicate that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit New Delhi ahead of Jaishankar’s Moscow trip. The meetings are expected to continue high-level discussions on the India-China border issues. Wang Yi will meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and other senior officials during his visit.
The India-China dialogue comes three months after Operation Sindoor, during which Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, noted that China reportedly provided live inputs to Pakistan during the brief conflict. Wang Yi’s visit is also considered preparatory for Prime Minister Modi’s expected visit to Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. India, however, is expected to remain cautious due to China’s strong ties with Pakistan.
Global Context and Strategic Engagements
Ahead of these visits, both Russia and China are consulting with global and regional stakeholders. Russian media reported that Lavrov will travel to Alaska with Putin for the August 15 U.S.-Russia summit with President Donald Trump, which India welcomed as a potential step toward ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. On August 11, PM Modi spoke with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging a peaceful settlement.
Amid trade tensions following the U.S.’s high tariffs on Indian purchases of Russian oil, India has engaged with other global leaders, including Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and Uzbekistan’s President Savkat Mirziyoyev, to discuss connectivity and transit projects such as the International North-South Corridor, aimed at easing overland transport to Russia.
