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Russia, US sell advance weapons to Saudi Arabia

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Russia, US sell advance weapons to Saudi Arabia

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]King Salman tries to balance ties by visiting Moscow

In a major shift towards Russia, Saudi Arabia has agreed to sign a $3bn weapons deal with Moscow for buying most advanced air defense missile system, the S400 Triumph and indicated its intention to buy aircraft and helicopters. Meanwhile, US have approved selling $15bn THAAD system to the Kingdom.

The S400Triumph, an anti-aircraft weapon, developed in 1990 by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau, has been described, as of 2017, as “one of the best air-defense systems currently made.”

According to Sputnik News, the government of Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its foreign policy, including expanding cooperation with Moscow. However, it does not mean a total reshuffle of the Kingdom’s strategic international ties.

According to Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia will also buy anti-tank weapons and multiple rocket launchers. The two countries will also set up a joint military-technical cooperation commission, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

The $3bn weapon deal with Moscow came at a time, when US government has also approved the possible sale of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) worth $15bn to Saudi Arabia.  It is considered to be the most capable anti missile batteries in the US arsenal which has already been supplied to Qatar and UAE. It is equipped with an advanced radar system.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz arrived in Moscow on a four-day visit on Wednesday, for the first ever visit along with 1000-strong delegation comprising high profile officials and businessmen.

King Salman and President Vladimir Putin have discussed a wide range of issues, including Syrian conflict, the situation in the Middle East and the fight against terrorism on Thursday. The agreements reached between the two countries are spread into cooperation in the military and technical spheres, energy and investment.

According to Vladimir Putin the talks with Saudi monarch were a “landmark event.” The King expressed his desire to continue cooperation with Russia to maintain stability in the oil market.

King Salman called Russia a “friendly” country and told Putin that their talks will boost the global economy as well as help create international stability and security. Putin has reportedly accepted King’s invitation to visit Saudi Arabia.

Earlier on Wednesday, while responding to a question, during energy forum in Moscow, about whether Saudi Arabia will always align with US on geopolitical issues, President Vladimir Putin had said, “Is there really anything in the world that’s absolutely permanent? It seems to me, on the contrary, that everything’s changing.”

The visit is considered to be the result of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s efforts, who built friendly ties with Putin during his first visit to Russia in 2015 as his country’s defense minister.

Russia and Saudi Arabia remained at odds on the conflict in Syria. Russia supported President Basher al-Assad regime while Saudis supported opposition groups. Riyadh has also been concerned about Moscow’s close cooperation with Tehran.

According to Nidal Sabea, a Lebanese political analyst, “Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner of the United States and that situation will not change. At the same time, the Saudi government understands the need to expand its international ties, including with Russia, China and other countries.”

Russian media reports that King Salman said that his opinion on Syrian settlement coincides with Moscow’s position while Riyadh also seeks a political solution that would guarantee Syria’s stability and territorial integrity.

However, there is no report if King Salman tried to pursue Putin for the removal of Assad regime in Damascus. Syrian forces along with Iranian military advisors and fighters from Hezbollah having patronage of Russian air force have successfully fought against IS (Daesh).

US administration, Israel and Saudi Arabia have been supporting Assad’s opposition for last several years. Earlier Turkey and Qatar were also supporting Assad opponents. However, with the changed scenario, Ankara and Doha were now treading towards Tehran.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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Donald Trump

The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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