Introduction
Crystal Gazing and dealing with the Dragon
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India & Quad: Effect on Indo – Russian Relations
Pic Courtesy: World Map Poster
The Quad, officially the ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’, is a strategic forum between the four nations (US, India, Australia and Japan) for exchanging strategic intelligence and conducting joint military exercises. Officially, the grouping was conceived as a space to cooperate for safeguarding joint security and other interests in the Indo-Pacific region. So far, Quad meetings have semi-regularly happened only at the foreign ministers’ level.
There is much more to Quad but this article is about effect of Quad on Indo – Russia relations.
Russian View. Russia views India’s ties with Quad unfavourably. It considers the Quad to be a US led grouping hostile to the interests of Russia and China. It feels that India is getting into the “trap” of the Indo-Pacific. Being US led grouping it feels that Quad would have an anti-Russia charter in some form or the other. Russia also shares it fears with China that the Quad may turn into a military alliance in future, calling it a potential Asian NATO. Their combined stand is that military alliances of any form in Asia is inadvisable and counterproductive. Russia along with China is very vocal about it and they keep cautioning / threatening India not to covertly or overtly get involved in it.
Indian Compulsions. There is a global rebalancing of geopolitical alliances taking place. The rapid progress made by China in economic, technological and military fields, its belligerent attitude and aggressive policy towards its neighbours and India in particular is resetting the relationships among the major powers. India has no choice but to seek closer ties with likeminded countries to address its asymmetry and security challenges with China and Pakistan. My personal view is that India should keep an open mind even for a military alliance if need so arises in future.
Pic Courtesy: The Asian Age
Maintaining Balance. While maintaining a balance between Indo – Russian and Indo – US relations, Indian Compulsions and views need to be conveyed forcefully that association with Quad is a necessity pushed due to Chinese attitude and behaviour. The policy is not aimed against Russia in any way and is open to all including even Russia. While doing so Russia also needs to be reminded about its increased friendship and enhanced relationship with Pakistan and China.
This article when read with the previous two articles, provides more comprehensive picture of Indo – Russian relations
लाल टोपी रुसी – दिल हिन्दुस्तानी: Indo – Russian Relations
INDO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS: US-Pak-China Factors
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References:
- https://warontherocks.com/2017/11/rise-fall-rebirth-quad/
- https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/explained-what-is-quad-summit-meeting-narendra-modi-joe-biden-india-us-australia-japan-6637191.html
- https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/the-quad-what-it-is-and-what-it-is-not/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrilateral_Security_Dialogue
INDO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS: US-Pak-China Factors
Russia – China relations: Indian Concerns
Pic courtesy: The Economic Times
Russia – China Relations. Genesis of Russia China relations lies in their mutual needs. Post break up of erstwhile USSR financial health of Russia was not too good. China in neighbourhood, had the money but needed defence technology especially aviation related. This mutual need germinated into a relationship between the two countries. Further, Russia’s tighter embrace of China was result of a political and economic necessity in the face of Western efforts to internationally isolate it and impose sanctions. In the recent years, China has emerged as Russia’s key external partner, brought even closer due to their continued tensions with the US-led West. Russia sees China as a counterbalance to USA and source of much needed money. Russia has a lot at stake with China economically, Russia is the major source of China’s energy and defence acquisitions. Politically, they are aligned on a number of international issues. Like all international partnerships the China-Russia partnership is one of convenience.
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