Context

• Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to New Delhi for the 21st India-Russia Summit meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights the constant efforts by both leaders to nurture and to provide further impetus to the ‘India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’. 

Strategic partnership

• The resilience of both the countries is built on the firm foundation of strategic national interest and the synergy of geopolitics.
• In the post-Cold War era, while India has emerged as an economic powerhouse and a key stakeholder in today’s global debate be it climate change, international trade, or the menace of terrorism, Russia with its global status and presence presents a win-win situation for deeper cooperation. 
• This relation between both countries has evolved with time, deepening the integration and widening the breadth of the relation.

Areas of Convergence

Defence 

• Russia is the key and principal supplier of arms and armaments to the Indian armed forces accounting for over 60% of weapons. 
• It comprises the whole gamut covering the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. 
• India recently inducted the S-400 Triumf missile systems. 
• Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft, T-90 tanks, and the Talwar and the Krivak class stealth frigates are key weapons in the armoury of the Indian armed forces. 
• The India-Russia defence cooperation has evolved from a buyer-seller model to new areas of military-technical collaboration. 
• The BrahMos missile system was a successful collaboration of joint research, development, and production. 
• Science and technology, nuclear energy, and space have been key driving forces. 

Strategic partnership

• “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” was signed by Russia in October 2000 that unlocked new opportunities in strategic, science and technology, space, energy, nuclear ties, trade and commerce, culture and a people-to-people connect and it was elevated to the level of a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”.
• For smooth functioning of this strategic partnership, it was governed by an institutionalised dialogue mechanism involving key stakeholders at the political and official levels. 
• The inaugural ‘2+2’ dialogue between the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the two countries promises to provide new vitality to the special and privileged strategic partnership. 

Bilateral trade

• Bilateral trade has seen the two countries progressing from defence and energy to IT, pharmaceuticals, agro-industries, mineral and metallurgy, fertilizers, and infrastructure projects. 
• India-Russia trade was valued at the U.S.$10.11 billion in 2019–20.

Areas of divergence

• Changes in interests and capabilities are being fuelled by geopolitical differences which are widening the divergence between India and Russia.
• In terms of geostrategy, Russia is aligned with China and India is more anchored toward the United States which was apparent in the Indian and Russian approach over Afghanistan.

Way forward

Strengthen multilateralism

• Apart from convergence in defence, trade and investment, energy, and science and technology, India and Russia need to work together in a trilateral manner or using other flexible frameworks, particularly in Southeast Asia and Central Asia. 
• Their growing collaboration can be a force of stability and will bring more diversity to the region while strengthening multilateralism.

Encourage youth exchanges

• The two countries also need to look at peoples’ power — youth exchanges as well as deeper links in various fields including sport, culture, spiritual and religious studies.

Conclusion

• In the new era of multipolarity and globalisation, it is of utmost importance for dependable partners to ensure enduring sensitivity to their mutual interests. The Modi-Putin meeting has sent the unambiguous signal to the world that the India-Russia partnership is an incredible friendship ensuring stability and diversity.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/expanding-indias-engagement-envelope-with-russia/article37874608.ece