Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin, the India-Russia relationship has evolved into a multifaceted strategic partnership anchored in defense, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity.

The institutionalization of the annual summits and the introduction of the ‘2+2’ ministerial dialogue between foreign and defense ministers have reinforced defense coordination, facilitating agreements on joint military production, missile systems such as the S-400 and BrahMos, and military logistics.

Economically, the countries are pursuing ambitious trade and investment targets, expanding projects like the International North South Transport Corridor and developing new transport routes to enhance Eurasian connectivity based on principles of transparency and sovereignty.

Despite Western pressures and risks of sanctions linked to defense procurement—particularly from the US—India continues to assert its strategic autonomy, maintaining Russia as a principal supplier of arms and discounted oil, while simultaneously engaging in technological and diplomatic cooperation through multilateral forums like BRICS and the SCO.

India’s longstanding rivalry with China significantly shapes this evolving relationship.

Modi’s government manages a delicate balance between nurturing India’s foundational ties with Russia and expanding strategic cooperation with the US and Quad partners, aimed at containing China’s regional ambitions.

The growing Russia-China partnership introduces complexity, as India views Moscow’s deepening proximity to Beijing with caution, wary of its potential to shift Eurasian security dynamics unfavorably.

India’s defense procurement continues to rely on Russian platforms, essential amid ongoing border tensions with China since 2020, yet India diversifies its capabilities through Western technology to offset strategic vulnerabilities.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin, the India-Russia relationship has evolved into a multifaceted strategic partnership anchored in defense, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity.

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Content: Putin, Modi reaffirm firm commitment to Syria ’ s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity
Russia and India reiterated their firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, stressing that there is no alternative to the Syrian-led political process in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
In a joint statement issued after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, the two sides reaffirmed their firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and reaffirmed that there is no alternative to the political process led and implemented by the Syrians themselves with the assistance of the United Nations in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
The statement stressed the need to ensure comprehensive humanitarian assistance for all Syrians without politicization or preconditions as stipulated in Security Council Resolution 2585.
On the Iranian issue, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of the full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and expressed their support for efforts to revive the agreement as soon as possible.
The two sides agreed to continue close cooperation on Afghanistan through the establishment of a consultative mechanism between the Security Councils of Russia and India and stressed the need to ensure that Afghan territory is not used to harbour, train or finance any terrorist groups, including ISIS, al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
They also expressed their firm commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing, dismantling terrorist infrastructure and combating extremism so that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for global terrorism, and stressed the need to establish an inclusive Afghan government.
Putin and Modi expressed their countries ’ commitment to their distinctive strategic partnership and stressed that this relationship between Russia and India as two major powers with a shared responsibility remains the mainstay of global peace and stability.
The statement pointed out that the two countries are seeking to develop a draft treaty on the non-deployment of weapons in outer space, adding that "the parties support negotiations to develop a legally binding multilateral instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space or the placement of weapons there and the use or threat of use of force against space structures."
The Conference on Disarmament is the sole forum for multilateral negotiations on an international convention or agreements on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its forms.
On the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the two sides called on all parties concerned to work for the denuclearization of the region with a view to establishing lasting peace and stability there, stressing the need for continued dialogue to achieve this goal.
The statement also called for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities and make it more representative, effective and efficient in addressing international peace and security issues.
At the start of a summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia considers India a superpower with a friendly people.
“We consider India a great power with a friendly people and a wonderful history of relations with us, ” Putin said, adding:“ Relations between our two countries are developing and we look forward to the future.
Although last year saw a decline in the terms of trade by more than 17 percent, during the first nine months of this year it increased by more than 38 percent.
Putin pointed out that the two countries are working to develop relations in the military field and conduct joint exercises and intend to continue working in this direction.
For his part, Modi said that India and Russia continue to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defense and space, stressing the importance of agreements between the two countries in various fields.
In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed confidence that the two plus two format between the foreign and defense ministers of Russia and India “will become an effective platform for dialogue on issues of mutual interest. ”
“I am convinced that this new mechanism will become an effective dialogue platform for discussing a wide range of regional and international issues and will contribute to deepening the traditional mutual understanding and strengthening the special strategic partnership between our two countries, ” Lavrov said.
Within the framework of these talks, Russia and India signed a number of military cooperation agreements on the sidelines of the joint talks between the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries in New Delhi within the framework of the “two plus two formula. ”
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Yen said after a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu that a number of agreements and protocols on small arms and military cooperation had been signed, describing the negotiations between the two sides as “fruitful and meaningful ”.

How has trade level between India and Russia changed under Modi and Putin?

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

The institutionalization of the annual summits and the introduction of the ‘2+2’ ministerial dialogue between foreign and defense ministers have reinforced defense coordination, facilitating agreements on joint military production, missile systems such as the S-400 and BrahMos, and military logistics.

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Business Standard

'India great power and a time-tested friend', says Russia's Vladimir Putin

India, Russia hold 21st summit, and first 2+2 dialogue; sign 28 agreements

Topics
indian government | India-Russia ties | Narendra Modi

Ajai Shukla  |  New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, on Monday (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi and Moscow on Monday issued to the world a high-visibility reminder about their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”, as Prime Minister and Russian President held the 21st India-Russia Summit, an annual ritual missed only in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Leading into the 21st summit meeting, India and Russia held their first-ever 2 + 2 Ministerial Dialogue, in which External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh together held strategic discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

“We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation and a time-tested friend. The relations between our countries are growing and I am looking into the future,” Putin said in his initial comments.

Putin also expressed concern over the developments in Afghanistan and said India and Russia will continue to coordinate on major challenges facing the region.

Modi said Putin’s second visit abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic reflected his personal commitment to the and that the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two sides was getting stronger. In the last few decades, the world witnessed many fundamental changes and different kinds of geopolitical equations and variables, but the friendship of India and Russia remained constant, Modi said. “Your visit to India is a reflection of your commitment to ties with India,” the PM said.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said 28 agreements were concluded between India and Russia after Modi-Putin meet. After the 2+2 meeting, Jaishankar tweeted: “A productive exchange of perspectives on cross-cutting and inter-related issues. Will be reporting it to the Annual Summit later today.”

Earlier on Monday, there was a meeting of the apex body that governs defence relations between the two: The Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), co-chaired by the two defence ministers, Singh and Shoigu.

India’s military uses Russian weaponry extensively, such as Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft, T-90S tanks and BMP infantry combat vehicles, Talwar-class frigates, and Kilo-class submarines. The two sides have jointly produced the highly regarded BrahMos cruise missile system.

During the 17th annual summit, the two countries concluded deals on India’s procurement of five units of the S-400 air defence systems for an estimated ~37,000 crore, constructing Talwar-class frigates under Project 1135.6, and a shareholders’ agreement on a joint venture (JV) to manufacture Kamov-226T helicopters in India.

The S400 is regarded as the world’s premier long-range missile system, with the ability to shoot down enemy aircraft at ranges up to 400 kilometres. During the confrontation over the last two years between the Chinese and Indian armies in Ladakh, China deployed the S400 along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

On March 3, 2019, in Amethi, Modi announced another JV —Indo-Russian Rifles — that would manufacture 750,000 AK-203 assault rifles in Korwa under the “Make in India” programme for an estimated $687 million. Russia is also competing for a ~40,000-crore deal for building six submarines in India under Project 75I, and a ~50,000-60,000 crore agreement to manufacture 114 fighter aircraft in India.

To ensure that Russian defence equipment was not hampered by any shortfall in maintenance or spare parts, the two sides agreed during the 20th Annual Summit in Vladivostok in September 2019 to cooperate in producing spare parts for Russian/Soviet military equipment.

The India-Russia defence partnership is being tested by Washington, especially through the piece of legislation the US Congress passed in 2017, titled CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act). This provides for US sanctions on countries that have significant defence or intelligence relations with Russia, Iran, or North Korea. India’s purchase of the S400 missile system is regarded as a potential trigger for Washington to impose sanctions.

While the US Congress has created a “CAATSA waiver” for close partners such as India, the US president is required to determine whether to exercise that waiver. So far, President Joe Biden has not stated a preference.

India, which faces a growing threat from China, is determined to buy the S400 from Russia. Asked whether New Delhi would bow to CAATSA pressure, India’s foreign ministry spokesperson said last week: “India and the US have a special global strategic partnership. And we also have a very special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia. And as you’re all aware, we pursue an independent foreign policy. This applies to our defence acquisitions, and supplies which are and will continue to be guided by our security interest.”

New Delhi and Moscow have identified trade and economic relations as a priority area. Modi and Putin have set a bilateral investment target of $50 billion and a bilateral trade target of $30 billion by 2025. (With inputs from PTI)

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First Published: Tue, December 07 2021. 01:24 IST
.

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

weapons supply
security & military
weapons joint production

What formal frameworks do India and Russia cooperate within?

defense ministers' meetings
Putin/ Modi annual summits

Economically, the countries are pursuing ambitious trade and investment targets, expanding projects like the International North South Transport Corridor and developing new transport routes to enhance Eurasian connectivity based on principles of transparency and sovereignty.

Title:

Content:
India and Russia signed a program of cooperation to boost trade and joint investment projects in Russia's Far East Region during Modi-Putin talks on Tuesday. At the same time, they agreed to strengthen connectivity and security linkages in the Eurasian space and Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The 22nd Russia-India Annual Summit will lead to a greater collaboration between the two countries in Russian Far East and the Eurasian space, including the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), according to experts.

The 81-paragraphbilateral Joint Statement underscored the "shared vision" to enhance transport and connectivity cooperation, as well as a "solid commitment" to enhance economic linkages in Russia's resource-rich Far East, Pravesh Kumar Gupta, an Associate Fellow at New Delhi-based think tank Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), told Sputnik India.

The 22nd Annual Summit, a "unique and pivotal event in the current global geopolitical context" according to Gupta, exposed the disappointment of Western countries.

"Amidst global turbulence, the summit served as a crucial platform for leaders to engage in constructive discussions and strategic dialogues, with the aim of bolstering cooperation in vital areas such as trade, energy, connectivity, defence, and technology. This event has been widely acknowledged as a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the close ties between India and Russia, a success that stood in stark contrast to the disappointment felt by the Western world," the Indian think-tanker asserted.

Lauding the Summit outcomes, Gupta remarked that the leaders would intensify effort to develop "promising production and marketing chains in Eurasia" and stick to the new plan for the Far East in providing enhanced cooperation in different sectors, including transport and connectivity.

Specifically both leaders shared a vision pointing to three projects – International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor as well as the Northern Sea Route (NSR), or the Polar Route.

"Most importantly, these connectivity projects are free from any political agenda, unlike the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as clearly mentioned in the joint statement. Their implementation will be based on the principles of transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations," the VIF pundit underlined.

Gupta expressed confidence that the proposal to establish a joint working group on developing the NSR would speed up the project, which promised "significant cost savings and reduced shipping times" for goods traveling between Europe and Asia.

"The route's increased accessibility due to melting Arctic ice has sparked increased interest in its potential for commercial shipping and trade, offering a bright future for global trade," Gupta stated.

In the context of the INSTC, the expert underscored that it could turn out to be the most "cost-effective and favourable" connectivity project to increase Indian exports to Eurasia and vice-versa. He explained that the 7,200-kilometre-long multimodal corridor was in line with Moscow's geo-economic focus on Asia-Pacific following the Ukraine conflict.

Russia, India To Implement The Idea of A 'Greater Eurasian Space'

In terms of bolstering cooperation in Asia-Pacific, or near India's own neighbourhood, Modi and Putin shared approaches on building a "new architecture" of a 'Greater Eurasian space'.

Although, initially Russia was focused primarily on the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, the Ukrainian conflict completely changed the situation, Alexey Kupriyanov, an expert in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) at Moscow-based think tank IMEMO RAS told Sputnik India.

At the same time, the think-tanker highlighted that a growing trade turnover between Russia and India was pushing Moscow to return to the Indian Ocean Region, primarily to ensure the protecting of Russian vessels in areas not covered by Indian Navy's operations, which include the Red Sea and the Mediterranean region.

"In the long term, this means that Russian ships will soon operate more intensively in the Indian Ocean and expand their presence," Kupriyanov stressed.

It would bolster India's security efforts and help it manage the power competition between China and the US, even as Indian Navy has intensified inter-operability with western maritime forces in recent years, the expert asserted.

"Since India's focus is primarily on the eastern part of the region, Russian ships in the western part could help fill the vacuum of security there. This will reduce the need for East African countries to seek help from China and the US to combat pirates, smugglers and drug traffickers," Kupriyanov concluded.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

commerce transportation infrastructure investment

Despite Western pressures and risks of sanctions linked to defense procurement—particularly from the US—India continues to assert its strategic autonomy, maintaining Russia as a principal supplier of arms and discounted oil, while simultaneously engaging in technological and diplomatic cooperation through multilateral forums like BRICS and the SCO.

Title:

Content: Putin has held successive summits with the leaders of India, the United States and China, what is the purpose of Russia's diplomatic drama?
Photo Credit: AP / Tachih Images
What we want you to know is
Russia is actively engaged in the world's two largest countries with the largest population, and it can be said that it is very serious business, as well as leading Russia's foreign policy, so as not to allow the United States to be ahead of the United States, but also to hinder the rise of China.
And India, in the big countries still have strategic autonomy, is also a winner.
Putin visits India for first time in six months, "Putin meeting" strengthens Russian-Indian relations
On December 6, the New York Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held their 21st summit in India, reaffirming the “special and privileged strategic partnership ” between India and Russia and witnessing the signing of 28 agreements and memorandums of understanding.
The defence agreement was signed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu, and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after a "2 + 2" meeting.
According to the report, the new defense agreement, which includes the potential US sanctions risk S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system, amounted to $5.4 billion. In 2020, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey for purchasing the weapon from Russia.
Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Harsh Shringla said at a press conference after the summit: "The delivery of the S-400 missile defense system has started and will continue."
It is important to note that both we and Russia have an independent foreign policy. ”
The 28 agreements and MOUs mentioned above cover trade, energy, technology, intellectual property, space, geological exploration, cultural exchanges and education.
According to the list released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nine of the agreements and memorandums signed are of an official nature, including: the 2021-2031 Military Technology Cooperation Agreement, the roadmap for cooperation in science, technology and innovation, and the space technology protection agreement; the rest are memorandums between industries, companies or academic institutions.
India and Russia have set a goal of raising bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2025, as well as broader inter-regional cooperation between the Russian Far East and Indian provinces.
This time Russia and India deepen relations, it is important to counter the United States' active deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
Among them is Joe Biden, a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue at the heart of Indo-Pacific foreign policy: India.
Not only can Russia pull India ’ s important partner, but it also proves that Russia has other “good friends ” in the international community in addition to China at a time of tension with most Western countries and international isolation.
In addition, India is still under pressure from the United States to buy arms from Russia, on the one hand, to show its foreign policy autonomy and diversification, India in the procurement of weapons options, but also to try to achieve a balance in the United States, India, Russia triangle relations.
After all, since the outbreak of the border conflict between India and India in mid-2020, there has been a trend for India and the United States to get closer and closer.
It also includes the gradual deepening of the "quartet security dialogue."
Russia has a greater influence than the United States in coordinating border conflicts between China and India.
For example, in September 2021, the foreign ministers of China and India discussed border issues in Moscow, Russia, and issued a joint statement.
In addition, according to a report by the Russian News Agency on December 15, Russian presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov said: "Putin and Xi agreed to continue to exchange views on the 'Russia-India-China cooperation model' in order to try to hold the next trilateral summit within the framework of this model in the future."
US-Russia Video Summit: Biden, Putin Discuss "Ukraine Issue"
On December 7, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a video summit, which was also the second time the two met in Geneva, Switzerland, in June this year.
According to a White House press release, the two sides discussed a number of US-Russian issues in the video.
During the meeting, Biden told Russia that the United States and its European allies have expressed strong concern about its actions in Ukraine.
He made it clear to Putin that the United States and its allies would respond economically or otherwise to an increase in military activity.
He also reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine ’ s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and called for a return to foreign interaction to reduce tensions.
The two sides also discussed the U.S.-Russia Dialogue on Strategic Stability, cyber-ransomware attacks, and cooperation on regional issues, such as Iran.
The Kremlin said in a statement after the meeting that Putin stressed that responsibility should not be transferred to Russia, all stemming from NATO ’ s dangerous intentions to conquer Ukrainian territory and establish military potential sites on the Russian-Ukrainian border.
Putin asked Biden to provide legally binding security guarantees against NATO ’ s eastward expansion and the deployment of offensive weapons systems in Russia ’ s neighbors.
But White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that Biden made no promises or concessions to Putin ’ s demands, including not allowing Ukraine to join NATO and reducing U.S. forces in the region.
Speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event on December 17, Sullivan said in response to Putin ’ s request: “The United States is ready to start a dialogue with Russia, and we will raise and discuss issues of concern to us. ”
In addition, according to the "Mist Valley Crystal Policy", a recent CNN "Wall Street Journal report, the Biden administration, in addition to maneuvering with Russia at the negotiating table, on the other hand, is also considering increasing military support for Ukraine.
Military support projects under consideration include Mi-17 helicopters and Stinger surface-to-air missiles.
However, a White House spokesman declined to discuss details of military support for Ukraine.
Putin, Xi Jinping Video Summit to Strengthen Bilateral Relations Against the West
Following the US-Russia Video Summit on December 7, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an hour-long video summit on December 15 to discuss a wide range of issues between China and Russia.
According to the BBC, the video summit is the 37th meeting of the leaders of China and Russia since 2013, and the frequent meeting reflects the unusual relationship between China and Russia.
Tags:

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

India did not join the Western sanctions against Russia

How has Russia/ India trade evolved since the start of the war in Ukraine?

India's purchases of Russian oil increased

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

What formal frameworks do India and Russia cooperate within?

What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

India’s longstanding rivalry with China significantly shapes this evolving relationship.

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Why India is walking the tightrope between the US and Russia
12: 56 7 / 6 / 2024
Why India is walking the tightrope between the US and Russia
05.07.2024
After the Cold War, which began in the 1950s, split the world into two camps, the newly independent India became the founder of the Non-Aligned Movement, a group of countries that did not side with either Washington or Moscow.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India retained some elements of this policy unchanged, while abandoning others.
In particular, Modi has strengthened ties with the United States, in which he sees a partner in the confrontation with a more assertive China.
At the same time, he continued to develop his country ’ s long-standing ties with Russia.
As a sign of Russia ’ s important role for India, Modi will meet with President Vladimir Putin on July 8 during his first foreign visit to a fellow leader after being elected for a third term.
But these relations are becoming increasingly complex as Russia strengthens ties with China, seeking its broader support.
China and India are not allies.
1.
Is India an ally of the United States?
India and the United States have been strategic partners for at least two decades, which means they can build relationships and cooperate militarily, but are not official treaty bound allies.
Although they have much in common – both countries are large and diverse democracies – New Delhi pursues its own interests in ways that sometimes conflict with US interests.
For example, India has refused to condemn Russia in the conflict with Ukraine, while an alleged plot of assassins in the United States has triggered a criminal investigation in which senior Indian officials are implicated, according to prosecutors.
The basis of relations remains the transformation of China into an assertive regional power.
China and India are long-time rivals with a bitter border dispute, and the US is seeking to draw India as a counterweight to Beijing ’ s rise.
India is part of the Quartet, a regional security dialogue with the United States, Japan and Australia.
A group of senior U.S. officials recently visited India to discuss cooperation in technology, security and foreign investment.
2.
What is India ’ s relationship with Russia?
Although India openly declared its non-alignment during the Cold War, it maintained warm relations with Moscow and was wary of the United States, which was closer to India ’ s main rival, Pakistan.
India and Russia maintain strong ties to this day.
The basis of this relationship is India ’ s status as a reliable buyer of Russian arms and crude oil.
Today, Russia remains India ’ s largest arms supplier, although, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, shipments have declined from about two-thirds of India ’ s arms imports more than a decade ago to just over one-third today as India seeks to diversify its sources of arms supplies.
Russia also remains India ’ s largest oil supplier, although sanctions imposed on Russian oil exports have affected Russian oil imports to India.
India also stands out among the leading democracies for its unwillingness to criticize Russia and abstained from voting at the United Nations, which condemned Russia for the conflict in Ukraine.
3.
What is India ’ s relationship with China?
Relations have been tense for years.
The source of tension was a territorial dispute along their common border that lasted decades and over which the two countries fought a war in 1962.
The dispute flared up again in 2020, culminating in a series of deadly skirmishes and prompting New Delhi to ban Chinese smartphone apps and limit Chinese investment in India.
Recently, there have been rumors of a relaxation of tension.
In May, Beijing appointed its first ambassador to India in 18 months.
After his arrival, he expressed a desire to improve relations between the two countries.
China also congratulated Modi on winning the election in June, and a Chinese official said the countries were on a "healthy and stable path."
The two countries agreed on further negotiations to resolve the border dispute.
4.
How are relations between Russia and China changing?
Russia and China have been rivals since the Sino-Soviet split during the Cold War (a rivalry that also brought Russia and India closer together).
But relations have noticeably warmed as both countries united in their opposition to the US-led international order.
The Russian president made his first foreign trip to Beijing after he was re-elected for a third presidential term in March.
At the July summit on security in Kazakhstan, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin said that relations between them are “the best in history, ” and both sides vowed to jointly defend“ calm and stability in the region. ”
China has become another major buyer of Russian oil, gas and coal, helping Russia counter Western sanctions.
5.
How does the United States view relations between India and Russia?
Washington still views India as a bulwark preventing China from spreading its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
While he has occasionally criticized India for alleged human rights abuses and the treatment of minorities, India ’ s ties with Moscow have come at minimal political cost.
Following a recent visit by senior US officials, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the US side had raised the issue of India ’ s ties with Russia, as well as accusations of India ’ s involvement in a plot to murder for hire.
But he also said that the United States is confident in its relations with India and wants to expand cooperation between the two countries.
According to some analysts, the US sees India as an important ally in its quest to contain China, so it does not want to risk antagonizing officials in New Delhi.
Prepared by ProFinance.Ru based on Bloomberg materials.
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Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

Modi’s government manages a delicate balance between nurturing India’s foundational ties with Russia and expanding strategic cooperation with the US and Quad partners, aimed at containing China’s regional ambitions.

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Modi's Russia visit shows India isn't worried about making the US mad

  • In a move likely to anger the US, Modi is visiting Russia.
  • The move signals strong ties between Delhi and Moscow, and shows the world India is pursuing its own agenda.
  • Modi is aiming to correct the trade imbalance and address China's Indo-Pacific activities.
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In a move likely to anger the US, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Russia on Monday for his first bilateral trip after winning a historic third term in office.

Modi's two-day visit to Russia — where he is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin — is significant in that it signals strong ties between Delhi and Moscow. It also shows the world that India is not afraid to pursue its own agenda.

Vinay Kwatra, India's foreign secretary, told reporters in New Delhi that issues between Russia and India have "piled up" and "need to be addressed," per Bloomberg.

Russia's relationship with India goes back to the Cold War, and trade between the two countries has grown since Russia started the war in Ukraine. India is a major buyer of Russian oil. Russia is also India's biggest arms supplier.

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Kwatra underscored that the two countries' trade relationship has remained "resilient."

Still, Modi's trip will "rankle many Western observers," Ved Shinde, a researcher and contributor to Australia's Lowy Institute think tank, wrote in a note on Wednesday.

"Since the Ukraine war began, India's purchase of cheap oil from Russia has been seen as profiting from troubles in the heart of Europe," Shinde added.

Modi's visit to Russia will make the US look bad

Just like Putin's visit to supply-chain hot spot Vietnam, India's engagement with Russia isn't a good look for the US, as it comes while Washington is isolating Putin's regime.

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The US has raised "some concerns" about India's relationship with Russia with New Delhi, Kurt Campbell, the US Deputy Secretary of State, said last month.

However, Washington acknowledges that India's ties with Russia are different from its ties with the US.

"We have many areas of alignment, but it is not surprising that there would be areas where we've had perhaps different perspectives, views, historical ties," Campbell said about America's relationship with India.

India, for its part, is looking to balance its relationship with the world's key powerbrokers — the US, Russia, and China.

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"There are different degrees in India's multi-alignment. Make no mistake — the United States and its allies are more consequential for India's future than its relationship with Russia," wrote Shinde.

India needs to leverage its historical ties with Russia to secure its economy and security, so Modi isn't just in Russia for a goodwill trip.

Reducing the trade imbalance

A key agenda item for the visit is to reduce a huge bilateral trade imbalance, said Kwatra.

India imports about $60 billion of goods a year from Russia, but Russia buys less than 10% of this amount from India, per Bloomberg.

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Modi may also touch on China's activities in the Indo-Pacific region, said Kwatra.

India is trying to manage its relationship with China, which has been testy since a border dispute in 2020. Modi skipped the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakhstan last week.

There's also the matter of Russia's ties with China.

At the summit last week, Putin said Russia's relationship with China is in the "best period in history."

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Modi now needs to cozy up to Putin to counter China's advances.

"The reason for the time-tested stability in India-Russia ties is to maintain a continental balance in the Eurasian heartland. That is, to balance China," wrote Shinde.

"Or to put it another way, don't go around making new adversaries when there are already two open fronts — China and Pakistan," Shinde added.

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What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

The growing Russia-China partnership introduces complexity, as India views Moscow’s deepening proximity to Beijing with caution, wary of its potential to shift Eurasian security dynamics unfavorably.

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Content: 2 July 2024, Tuesday, 16: 46
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Bloomberg: India will prevent Putin from getting closer to China
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the plan.
Russia ’ s active rapprochement with China worries India, which is countering its growing influence in the region.
Concerned about the expansion of the “limitless partnership ”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week will go to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin, writes Bloomberg.
It will be his first visit to Russia since the start of Putin ’ s war in Ukraine and his first trip abroad since Modi took office as prime minister for the third time.
While Moscow will try to present the meeting as proof that Russia has not been isolated since Western sanctions were imposed, Modi ’ s trip is more motivated by a desire to reaffirm the status quo in bilateral relations and limit China ’ s influence, experts and experts close to the Indian government say.
India is wary of Moscow ’ s growing dependence on Beijing, says Swasti Rao, a research fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis at the Indian Ministry of Defense:
The deepening of strategic interaction between Russia and China makes New Delhi uncomfortable, as it is like a best friend sleeping with the enemy.
Given our concerns, it makes sense for the prime minister to go there and talk to Putin at the highest level.
Like China, India has taken advantage of the difficult situation that Russia has found itself in because of the sanctions.
It has more than 20 times increased purchases of Russian oil compared to 2021, saving 13 billion thanks to discounts on it, according to the April report of the rating agency ICRA.
It continues to purchase services and components from Russia to service previously purchased weapons, although major deals do not seem to be going any more.
In 2019-2023, according to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute, India for the first time since the early 1960s purchased less than half of the weapons from Russia / the USSR: the share of imports was only 36% compared to 76% in 2009-2013.
Russia has lost the Indian arms market, which has dominated for more than half a century
Russia has lost the Indian arms market, which has dominated for more than half a century
The meeting between Modi and Putin is expected to discuss the supply of logistics to India to strengthen cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries and resume discussions on joint development of a fifth-generation fighter, but breakthrough agreements in either this or other areas are likely not, informed Indian officials told Bloomberg.
Also, according to them, cooperation in nuclear energy will be discussed.
Payments in rupees for Russian oil for a long time hung on accounts in Indian banks, all of them accumulated by $8 billion.
Although the countries agreed to continue to pay for oil in UAE dirhams and increase purchases of Indian goods, their annual exports to Russia still do not exceed $5 billion.
Fearing sanctions and difficulties with calculations, Indian business is not eager to increase turnover.
Modi ’ s visit is “maintaining the status quo, ” Alexei Zakharov, an expert on India at HSE, told Bloomberg:“ Relations are not deteriorating, but there is no particular desire to improve them. ”
This is the second time that Putin ’ s turn to the East has caused concern among the leading countries in the region.
Thus, Chinese leaders may believe that Putin ’ s rapprochement with North Korea and the conclusion of a military alliance with it during a recent visit to Pyongyang may reduce the dependence of Russia and North Korea on Beijing and provoke unnecessary tension in the region.
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What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

India’s defense procurement continues to rely on Russian platforms, essential amid ongoing border tensions with China since 2020, yet India diversifies its capabilities through Western technology to offset strategic vulnerabilities.

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?