Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tianjin, China, on Monday. The talks will take place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

Focus on December Visit to India

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that the meeting will discuss Putin’s upcoming visit to India. He said, “Preparations for our president's upcoming visit to India at the very end of the year, in December, will be discussed.”

He further explained that Putin’s schedule during the SCO Summit is packed. “Within the framework of the SCO and SCO + summits, a number of bilateral meetings of our president are planned. More than 10 meetings have already been scheduled,” Ushakov noted.

Tensions Over US Tariffs

The meeting comes as India faces new US tariffs. Washington recently imposed a 50 percent tariff on several Indian goods, along with a 25 percent penalty tariff linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil. Oil revenues remain a vital source of Moscow’s state budget, according to AFP.

Russia Redirects Oil Exports

Since the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Western nations have sought to cut Russia’s energy exports. However, Russia has managed to redirect much of its oil to other buyers, mainly India and China.

Putin’s India Trip Still Being Finalised

Sources familiar with the matter said that the exact dates for Putin’s India visit are yet to be confirmed. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had visited Moscow earlier this month and discussed the issue with senior Russian officials. During the meetings, he said the schedule was still being finalised.

Invitation Already Accepted

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier announced that Putin accepted PM Modi’s invitation. He said in March, “It is symbolic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first bilateral foreign visit after his re-election last year to Russia.”

He added, “Now it is our turn…The visit of the head of the Russian state to...India is being prepared.”