Old and strong: On India-Russia ties
- The recent five-day visit of India's External Affairs Minister to Russia holds special significance.
- It reflects the concerted efforts of both nations to strengthen ties, overcome challenges and maintain the historical bond.
Unusual Length and High-Level Meetings
- The extended visit, unusual for India, underscores the strategic importance of the diplomatic engagement.
- The Russian President's meeting with India’s EAM, despite the holiday season, signifies a warming of ties and contradicts norms for lower-ranking foreign officials.
- Despite the absence of annual summits between the Indian Prime Minister and Russian President in the last two years, the bilateral ties have thrived, with economic engagement witnessing significant growth.
Bilateral Trade Growth
- Bilateral trade has surged from $12 billion to $50 billion in the last two years, driven by significant oil imports from Russia.
- India withstood criticism from the West for deepening economic ties with Russia amid the Ukraine crisis, emphasising importance of a productive relationship for national security.
Shifting Context
- India is no longer a deferential junior partner and has surpassed Russia in GDP, creating a changing dynamic in the bilateral relationship.
- The context of the relationship has evolved, and India is repositioning itself as a strategic equal.
Geopolitical and Strategic Convergence
- India’s EAM emphasized the enduring nature of the India-Russia relationship, branding it the "only constant in world politics" over six decades.
- He emphasised the "geopolitical and strategic convergence" between India and Russia in a multipolar world undergoing rebalancing.
Agreements and Collaborations
- Agreements on future Kudankulam nuclear power projects, connectivity, trade.
- Discussions on the Eurasian Economic Union-India free trade agreement.
- Joint military production agreements
- Coordination for the expanded BRICS summit
- Continued collaboration at the UN and SCO.
- The visit aims to address concerns over defence supplies, payment issues and a general decline in bilateral engagements.
Future Prospects
- Affirmation of the resumption of the annual leadership summit in 2024 indicates efforts to eliminate any friction in the relationship.
- Attention on concrete outcomes, such as the rupee-rouble payment mechanism and the delivery of S-400 air system units, remains for future assessment.
Conclusion
- India's EAM’s visit to Russia serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Indo-Russian relations.
- The efforts to address challenges and strengthen economic ties reflect a commitment to maintaining a productive and strategic partnership in an evolving global landscape.