Indo-Russian Relations
“special and privileged strategic partnership”
Geography and Geopolitics have been binding Russia and India together in the past. However, in the world politics there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests and these also change with time. The deep, traditional and even “time-tested relations” shared for decades cannot be taken for granted. The premise of Indo-Russia relationship has undergone significant changes since the end of the Cold War. The strategic bond that existed between India and the Soviet Union is not the same as that with Russia and has been considerably diluted. Every country places its national interests above anything else, so does Russia. Russia may not be a partner at the earlier level and perhaps we should not expect it either. From the “special and privileged strategic partnership,” we appear to be moving towards a transactional relationship.
Pic: Coutesy mapsofindia.com
Defence Cooperation. One of the strong pillar of India-Russia ties has is in the defence field. A close defence relationship with any country is based on trust which takes time to build. A critical issue is risk of interruption in supplies during conflict situations due to political reasons. Russia has been a tried and tested partner in this regard. Russia has been offering advanced defence equipment and sensitive military technologies. Almost 60 – 70 percent of equipment with India’s armed forces is of Russian origin. Sudden decoupling or complete switch to western equipment is not possible.
“We need to convert the extraordinary goodwill between India and Russia into a thriving, visible, vigorous, and mutually beneficial economic relationship”.
– Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Importance of Relationship. Russia, of course, can no longer provide the kind of political and economic support to India as it did in the Cold War years. For India, Russia is a vital partner for energy security, and defence needs, willing to supply the “cutting-edge technology”. India-Russia relations have not been limited to energy and defence. While defence has been the strongest leg of the bilateral cooperation, there are several other areas in which the two countries cooperate – spanning culture, trade, transportation, education, science and technology, space and nuclear energy etc.
“Tolstoy and Gandhi had an indelible effect on each other. Let India and Russia make their relations better by taking inspiration from them. Let both the nations become bigger stakeholders in each other’s development,”
– Indian PM Shri N Modi
Way Ahead. India-Russia relations may not be as warm as they were during the Cold War, but both countries remain important for each other in the existing geopolitical scenario. Rapidly changing geo-political and geo-strategic dynamics presents significant challenges but also opportunities that India and Russia can leverage to further invigorate and intensify their relations to mutual advantage. Both the nations should view the relationship in a pragmatic manner, address their differences and divergences and identify fresh areas for cooperation. Many areas exist in which both countries can expand and deepen their relations for mutual benefit. Some suggestions are as follows:-
- Cooperation could be enhanced in the high technology field including robotics, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, space, nuclear energy, biotechnology and hydrocarbons,
- Other areas of focus could include infrastructure, skill development, agriculture, shipbuilding, railways, aviation, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and deep sea exploration etc.
- The two countries could cooperate effectively on regional and global issues in multilateral bodies.
- Both should sustain and further reinforce dialogue at the highest as well as at Ministerial / Senior Official level.
- Increase people-to-people connectivity, with special focus on the younger generation and cultural sphere. Regular cooperation with the Russian and Indian think tanks and joint publications would create better understanding of each other.
Comments and value additions are most welcome
Coming up : Other parts of the Equation
effect of Indo – US, Russia – Pakistan and China – Russia relations
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References:
- https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-must-be-realistic-about-russia-relations
- https://theprint.in/opinion/india-russia-less-useful-to-each-other-now-disagreements-will-only-grow/621264/
- https://www.orfonline.org/research/india-russia-ties-in-a-changing-world-order-in-pursuit-of-a-special-strategic-partnership-56877/
- https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/india-russia-relations-in-a-post-covid-world/
- https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/india-russia-relations-face-more-trouble/
- https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/opinion/isnt-yet-time-write-obituary-india-russia-ties
- https://indianembassy-moscow.gov.in/70-years-of-india-russia-relations-a-historic-milestone.php
Rightly said – interests should be the driving force. However, the history of what countries do needs to be kept in mind when fostering relationships. There is no country in the world that has come out winner where ever the USA has been a good friend!!!. We need to have that always at the back of our minds when diluting relations with Russia because we happen to be getting closer to the Americans.
Thanks for the value addition
Surely the GOI must take note of this.