'My friend Putin...': After call with Brazilian President, PM Modi dials Putin amid Trump's tariff threat

A day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil, thereby taking the overall tariffs to 50%, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that he had a detailed conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin over phone and that they discussed the latest developments in Ukraine.

"Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership," PM Modi said on X.

The government has invited the Russian President to New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, which will be held later this year. "I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year," the PM said.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi received a telephone call from Brazil President Lula da Silva. The two leaders agreed on a framework to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, energy, defence, agriculture, health and people-to-people ties. "Had a good conversation with President Lula. Thanked him for making my visit to Brazil memorable and meaningful. We are committed to deepening our Strategic Partnership including in trade, energy, tech, defence, health and more. A strong, people-centric partnership between Global South nations benefits everyone," the PM said.

The Prime Minister's interactions with the two leaders come in the backdrop of the US imposing heavy duties on the exports from both India and Brazil. Trump has threatened the duties on India could increase significantly in the coming days if it does not halt oil imports from Russia.

In its stern response, the government has clearly said India's imports from Russia are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the MEA said on Wednesday, adding that India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing additional 25% tariffs on India over the purchase of Russian oil, doubling the overall export levies to 50% and putting India among nations with the highest imposed tariffs so far, along with Brazil.

While the first 25% tariff came into effect on August 7, 2025, the additional 25% tariff on imports from India will be effective from August 27. This puts India at a disadvantage compared to other export economies, especially Asian economies like China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.