The Russian Presidential election solidified Vladimir Putin’s continued leadership, setting the stage for ongoing stability in the enduring partnership between India and Russia.
Notably, Russia’s significant role as a supplier of military equipment to India underscores the multifaceted nature of their relationship. However, amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly Russia’s evolving ties with China, charting the course of this partnership becomes increasingly complex.
Dr Aparaajita Pandey, Ph.D., from the Centre for Latin American Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, highlights the deep-rooted nature of this strategic alliance, which has flourished under Putin’s tenure.
“India and Russia have shared and enjoyed a privileged and strategic partnership for decades and it has only grown under the Putin regime. India has been arguably closer to Russia and the nations enjoy not only great economic and political relations but also people to people contact. Russia is also one of the largest suppliers of military equipment to India,” opines Dr Aparaajita Pandey.
Sharing her views with Financial Express Online, she says, “It would be more or less accurate to speculate that India and Russia would continue to enjoy a close relationship, although India would have to navigate and manoeuvre through the growing closeness between Kremlin and Beijing.”
India-Russia & Expanded BRICS
“While that is a reality no one can deny, it would be advantageous to have Russia on India’s side in the new and expanded BRICS+ which is now home to five more member countries. These nations, however, have a bent towards China. In the calculus of BRICS+ five new members who are more friendly towards China than they are towards India is not ideal. In such a situation a continuing friendly relationship with Russia would act as a counterbalance,” Dr Pandey opines.
According to former Ambassador Anil Trigunayat: “President Putin has been personally invested in nurturing bilateral relationship since 2000 when he became President for the first time.”
“He has often praised India and PM Modi’s policies. There is an excellent chemistry between the two leaders. This year Russia is chairing BRICS and India has fully supported it. I think the relationship with Russia will continue to deepen despite global and regional challenges. Special and privileged strategic partnership is there to stay,” says Ambassador Trigunayat.
