US-Russia Alaska Summit | 19 Aug 2025

Source: IE 

The US-Russia Alaska Summit ended without a final agreement, leaving the Russia-Ukraine conflict unresolved. Its failure has spotlighted potential challenges in US-India ties over tariffs on India's Russian oil imports.

• India’s Concerns on US Tariffs: The US announced a combined 50% tariff on Indian exports, comprising the existing 25% tariff and an additional 25%.  
  • This could significantly disrupt India's trade relations, increasing costs of Indian goods in the US market and complicating economic negotiations. 
  • The US aims to cut Russia’s oil revenue by pressuring importers like India (imports 35-40% of its crude oil from Russia). A Bill in US Congress proposes tariffs up to 500% on states aiding Russia’s war economy. 
• India’s  Strategic Autonomy: India aims to maintain strategic autonomy, balancing ties with Russia and the US while keeping its trade, energy security and defence choices driven by national interest. 
• Geo-Political Impact: The failure of the US- Russia Alaska Summit to finalize a peace deal prolongs the uncertainty surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, complicating global diplomatic efforts, and raising concerns over security guarantees, territorial concessions, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) role.