Russian oil row: Kremlin rejects proposed 100% US tariffs, says new India nuclear plant talks awaited

Russia has described proposed US tariffs targeting countries importing Russian crude oil as “illegal, unfair and unexpected”, as Moscow and New Delhi prepare for high-level talks that could also include negotiations on setting up new civil nuclear reactors in India.

The twin issues, India's continued purchase of Russian oil and plans to expand nuclear cooperation are expected to draw attention when Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said energy cooperation between India and Russia remained strong, with Indian purchases of Russian crude continuing to hit new highs.

Asked about the volume of oil being bought by India, Peskov declined to share specific figures but indicated that trade was continuing to grow.

“I don't want to give you any figures for understandable reasons, but every month we have a new record,” he said during a virtual interaction with Indian journalists.

Russia reacts to proposed US tariffs over Russian oil

Peskov was also asked about proposed US legislation that seeks to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India and some other countries over their imports of Russian crude oil.

The Kremlin spokesperson strongly criticised the proposed move, calling it “illegal, unfair and unexpected”.

The comments come as India's energy ties with Russia remain a key part of the wider economic relationship between the two countries.

Beyond oil, Russia said India and Moscow are also looking at fresh negotiations linked to India's plans to establish new civil nuclear reactors.

Peskov said the energy relationship between the two countries remained robust, signalling that nuclear cooperation could emerge as another important area of discussion during future engagements.

Putin-Modi talks to cover trade, defence and technology

Putin and Modi are set to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, including defence, energy, technology, trade and investment.

Peskov said Russia understands India's concerns over the growing trade imbalance in Moscow's favour and is looking at ways to address them.

He added that most India-Russia trade is now being conducted in national currencies, while the issue surrounding accumulated rupee payments is gradually being resolved.

Russia is also seeking greater Indian investment and business expansion in its market, while Russian companies are looking to increase their presence in India.

The two leaders are expected to discuss the economic fallout of the West Asia crisis as well.

BrahMos upgrades, S-400 deliveries and Su-57 jets

Defence cooperation is also expected to feature prominently in the Putin-Modi meeting.

Peskov said India and Russia are exploring possible upgrades to the BrahMos missile programme. Moscow also remains committed to completing the remaining deliveries of the S-400 air defence systems.

The proposed supply of Su-57 fighter jets to India is another subject under discussion, according to the Kremlin spokesperson.

Peskov said Russia would be open to sharing technology related to the Su-57 aircraft with India.

India is currently in the process of procuring a batch of fifth-generation fighter jets, with Dassault Aviation's Rafale, Lockheed Martin's F-21, Boeing's F/A-18 and the Eurofighter Typhoon among the main contenders.

Russia welcomes India's efforts to end Ukraine war

Ahead of Putin's India visit, Russia also welcomed New Delhi's willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict.

Peskov said Moscow's position was broadly aligned with India's preference for resolving the conflict through dialogue and peaceful means.

“We know the position of India on the Ukrainian conflict, and to a great extent, it corresponds with our own position because we do want the solution to the Ukraine conflict by peaceful means, and Russia is open for this process,” he said.

He also welcomed peace efforts by US President Donald Trump.

The issue is expected to come up during the Modi-Putin meeting, with Peskov saying the Russian President would brief the Prime Minister on the overall situation.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek last week, Modi had called for an immediate end to the conflict and urged Putin to move from “endless war towards end of war.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar later travelled to Kyiv and said India was ready to contribute whatever it could to bring peace to Ukraine.

Russia working to bring back Indians linked to its military

Peskov also said Russia was working to identify Indian nationals currently associated with the Russian Army so they could be sent back home following requests from New Delhi.

“Work is being done to make a list of those Indian citizens who are now on the battlefield. They will be back home,” he said.

Shortly after his remarks, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said more than two dozen Indians were employed with the Russian military.

India has repeatedly urged Russia to release Indian nationals working as support staff, including cooks and helpers, with Russian military units.

Following Modi's talks with Putin in Bishkek last week, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said around 51 Indians associated with the Russian military had died so far.

As Putin and Modi prepare to meet, energy security, trade, defence cooperation and the Ukraine conflict are set to dominate discussions. But Russia's sharp response to the proposed US tariffs over Russian oil imports and the possibility of new civil nuclear reactor talks could make the energy partnership one of the key areas to watch.

With PTI inputs