External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Moscow to hold discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov amid strained ties with the United States over India’s continued procurement of Russian crude oil. This visit follows National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s recent trip to Russia, where he met with President Vladimir Putin, and is expected to finalize arrangements for Putin’s anticipated visit to India later this year. India’s oil imports from Russia have surged from 1.7% in 2019-20 to 35.1% in 2024-25, making Russia the largest supplier, which has prompted the U.S. to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods in response. During Jaishankar’s two-day visit, discussions will likely cover bilateral energy procurement, military cooperation—including S-400 missile systems and Su-30MKI upgrades—and the ongoing Ukraine conflict, with India advocating for a diplomatic resolution. This high-level diplomatic engagement underscores India’s strategic autonomy and multi-alignment approach, balancing relations with both Russia and the U.S. while navigating regional security dynamics, particularly concerning China and ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).