Top Modi adviser heads to Moscow for high-level talks
Doval is expected to hold talks with senior Russian officials and is likely to discuss the purchase of more S-400 air defense missile systems, according to the report.
India currently has three S-400 systems – part of a larger order of five purchased from Russia. The systems were put to use during the country's brief military confrontation with Pakistan in May.
Doval's visit, though pre-planned, has taken on greater significance following US President Donald Trump's criticism of India's oil imports from Russia.
❗️🇮🇳🇷🇺 Doval to Visit Russia IMMINENTLY Amid Oil Threats from TrumpIndian NSA Ajit Doval is expected to drop in on Moscow this week to strengthen defence & energy ties. (TOI) pic.twitter.com/Iyq6fdJO1t
'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits,' Trump said on Truth Social on Monday. 'They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine.'
India has rejected these allegations, saying the US encouraged it to import Russian oil at the start of the Ukraine conflict to strengthen the stability of global energy markets.
'Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jasiwal said in a statement on Monday. 'The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable.'
Trump previously threatened 100% tariffs on countries trading with Russia unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal with Ukraine.
'We hear a lot of statements that are actually threats trying to force countries to stop trading with Russia,' Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday with regard to India's purchases of Russian oil.
'We do not consider these statements to be legitimate. We believe that sovereign countries should have the right to choose their own trading partners for economic cooperation, to choose cooperation in the interests of a particular country,' Peskov stated.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is also expected to travel to Russia later this month, sources told RT.
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