The India-Russia "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" is a time-tested relationship crucial for India's strategic autonomy. It anchors India's defense and energy security while providing a counterbalance in a multipolar world. Both nations must diversify trade and deepen cooperation to navigate emerging challenges and maintain a resilient partnership.
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India-Russia ties remain crucial for India's strategic autonomy, particularly regarding military dependence and discounted oil imports, which face pressure from recent US tariffs.
Early Years (1947-1955): India and the Soviet Union established diplomatic ties in 1947. It became a key partner in India's industrialization efforts, particularly in heavy industries, funded projects like the Bhilai and Bokaro Steel Plants.
Cold War Era (1955-1991): Relationship strengthened during this period, with the Soviet Union provided crucial support to India, including diplomatic backing on issues like Kashmir and Goa, using its veto power at the UN Security Council.
Post-Cold War (1991-2000): After the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991, the relationship experienced a period of uncertainty as Russia faced internal challenges.
Strategic Partnership Era (2000 onwards): Relations regained momentum with the Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2000, established institutionalized dialogue mechanisms like annual summits.
Why is Russia important to India?
Defense & Security: Russia is still the largest supplier of defense equipment to India, although its share has decreased. Russia accounted for 72% of India's arms imports between 2010-2014, this dropped to 36% in 2020-2024.
Energy Security: Russia is the largest crude oil supplier to India, accounting for over 35% of imports.
Geopolitical Balancing: India's relationship with Russia maintains strategic autonomy and balances its growing ties with the West and the US.
Strategic Autonomy: India maintains independent foreign policy, engage with multiple global powers, including Russia, to maximize its national interests without aligning with any single bloc.
Non-Condemnatory Stance on Ukraine Conflict: India has abstained from condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, to safeguard its strategic interests, including access to Russian energy and defense supplies.
Focus on Multilateralism: India and Russia collaborate within multilateral platforms like the UN, BRICS, G20, and SCO, advocating for a multipolar world order based on international law.
Diversification alongside Engagement: India follows a strategy of diversifying its defense imports and promoting defense indigenization through initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', while continuing to engage with Russia on crucial defense projects, and technology transfers.
Defense & Military-Technical Cooperation: India and Russia engage in joint research, development, and production of advanced defense technologies, like the BrahMos cruise missile and AK-203 rifles produced in India.
Energy Cooperation: Two-way investments in oil and gas, with Indian companies like ONGC-Videsh investing over $16 billion in Russian projects like Sakhalin-1.
Trade and Economy: Bilateral trade reached $68.7 billion in FY 2024-25.
Science & Technology: Cooperation in areas like India's Gaganyaan manned spaceflight program, nanotechnologies, and quantum computing.
Growing Russia-China closeness: Russia's "no limits" partnership with China raises concerns in India, as China is India's primary geopolitical competitor.
India's increasing alignment with the West: India is strengthening ties with Western countries, particularly the US, for economic and strategic reasons, creating a divergence in geopolitical priorities with Russia.
Impact of Ukraine Conflict: Placed India in a diplomatic dilemma, criticism from Western nations for continued cooperation with Moscow. The conflict also creates uncertainty regarding Russia's ability to maintain supplies, particularly of defense equipment, due to international sanctions.
Defense cooperation challenges: Interoperability between Indian and Russian forces is low, as evidenced by the postponement of joint exercises.
Trade imbalances: India experiences a trade deficit with Russia, largely due to increased Russian oil imports. This creates difficulties in rupee-rouble trade due to Russia holding a surplus of Indian rupees.
Impact of Western sanctions and tariffs: US tariffs and potential sanctions on countries buying Russian oil impact India's trade and economic interests, affecting its manufacturing competitiveness and GDP growth.
Reduced people-to-people exchanges: Academic and cultural exchanges have declined, impacting the overall closeness of the relationship.
Geopolitical alignment vs economic interests: India prioritizes strategic autonomy, balancing ties with Russia, its traditional partner, with Western partnerships. India defends its oil imports from Russia as necessary for energy security. However, this stance created tension with the US.
Strained geopolitical understanding: Both advocate for a multipolar world order, however, they hold conflicting views on some issues, like the Ukraine war, Iran-Israel conflict.
Russia's engagement with Pakistan: Russia's efforts to deepen ties with Pakistan, including providing discounted oil and offering membership in INSTC, create discomfort for India.
Logistical Challenges: The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) faces setbacks due to regional conflicts, hindering trade connectivity.
Diversifying and Balancing Trade: Expand the trade basket beyond oil, focus on traditional sectors like metallurgy, chemicals, and space, and explore new avenues like transport engineering and IT.
Deepening Defence Cooperation: Focus on modernization through joint development and co-production of advanced weapons, promoting self-sufficiency under 'Make in India'.
Broadening Multilateral Cooperation: Strengthen collaboration on bilateral and regional issues like the Roopur Nuclear Power Project in Bangladesh and developmental partnerships in Central Asia.
Renewable Energy Cooperation: Explore collaboration opportunities in renewable energy sectors, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, align with India's green transition goals.
Promoting Connectivity Initiatives: Utilize the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route to enhance trade and logistical connectivity.
Strengthening People-to-People Ties: Increase cultural exchanges and tourism, facilitated by e-visas and collaboration in areas like education and research.
The India-Russia relationship, a Cold War-era strategic partnership, has evolved into a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership." Despite global dynamics, the relationship remains important due to its defense and energy cooperation, shared vision of a multipolar world order, and geopolitical significance.
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For Mains: India Russia Relations l Russia's importance for India | INDIA-RUSSIA TRADE RELATIONSHIP l India- Russia defence relations |
Source: INDIAN EXPRESS
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