India, Aug. 9 -- US President Donald Trump's high tariffs on India for buying Russian oil and fuelling the Ukraine war will neither deter future Indian purchases from Russia nor break the strategic partnership between the two countries. The US president's belligerence is likely to drive India closer to Russia as it seeks support from a reliable ally in an uncertain world.

The Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's recent visit to Moscow in the wake of Trump's threat indicated that New Delhi was in no mood to disrupt its schedule of engagements. The Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar will go ahead with his scheduled visit to Russia later this month. There is a bit of defiance in both the visits. And there is a history to it.

Ind...