Prime Minister Modi has met Russian President Putin more than seven times during his tenure so far. During his visit and many important issues were discussed on both sides. The Russian foreign minister met several senior officials, including his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, but it was a special fact that he could not meet Prime Minister Modi. There was widespread discussion in diplomatic circles about this. This discussion also caught on, because Because the Russian Foreign Minister also went to Pakistan after ending his visit to India. During the Russian Foreign Ministers’ visit to New Delhi, India they discussed the Afghan problem. Russia expects an inclusive approach from India for the Taliban to solve the Afghan problem. Russia has also objected to the inclusion of India on the US initiative in a special group to solve the Afghan problem but has not reacted openly to it.
Russian foreign minister showed close proximity to Pakistan on Afghan matter
The visit of the Russian foreign minister to Islamabad after visiting New Delhi was a remarkable diplomatic event because it happened after a long time. A joint statement was also issued during the Russian Foreign Minister’s visit to Islamabad, in which he expressed his close proximity to Pakistan on the Afghan case. It seems that Russia wants to increase friendship with Pakistan due to increasing American proximity to India. This can have an impact on India-Russia relations.
Due to India’s increasing proximity to America, Russia also came close to China.
There have been some ups and downs in relations since the Cold War. If India is growing closer to America then Russia has also come closer to China in the last decade. On many matters, Russia has started appearing as the official spokesperson of China. Since the time of the Obama administration, the US has been emphasizing the concept of the Asia-Pacific region. The quad group also emerged rapidly in the final years of President Trump’s term. Its founding members are India, America, Australia, and Japan, and its expansion is proposed. That same March, US President Biden attended the Quad Group’s virtual summit in Australia, Participated with counterparts in Japan and India, and emphasized the pursuit of international law in the Asia-Pacific region. Russia is allergic to the Asia-Pacific and Quad nomenclature with China. Russia is still a strategically important country in Asia.
India 60 percent dependent on Russia for defense equipment
India relies on Russia for nearly 60 percent of its defense equipment. It also includes the much-discussed S-400 missile system, which Russia is yet to hand over to India. Turkey has been banned by the US for importing the same system, while Turkey is a member of the US-led NATO. Trump’s administration assisted India indirectly. In the last two decades, India has gained dominance as a buyer in the global arms market. Russia would not like to limit its role in any way.
The tension between the US and Russia had an impact on Indo-Russian relations
There has been an increase in tension between the US and Russia in recent years. Its initial impact has been on Indo-Russian relations. India and Russia are members of the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Council along with other countries including China. Asia’s balance of power has changed rapidly in the last two decades. India is not willing to accept China’s dominance in Asia. America, Japan, the countries of the ASEAN group, and Australia are also of this opinion. Russia should understand that India has its own priorities, which it cannot ignore. India is emphasizing diversity in foreign relations under the protection of its national interests. Russia should also be aware that China has achieved the position it had before the US during the Cold War era.
India-Russia can further balance their relations by increasing trade
India and Russia can balance out their relations by enhancing trade alone with the strategic sector. Trade between the two countries is currently around eight billion dollars. The emphasis has been on increasing it to $ 30 billion in 2025. After 2014, the trade between the two countries has reduced somewhat. Increasing import of natural oil from Russia can increase it. Russia cannot ignore that India has emerged as an important force in global politics in recent times.
No confrontation between India and Russia, but Russia is not happy due to America
Originally there is no significant conflict of interest between India and Russia, but Russia is not happy with India’s deepening cooperation with the US. On the other hand, India is not satisfied that Russia seems to care about the interests of China. According to the Russian Foreign Minister, Russia-China relations are today in the strongest state in history. This situation is not in accordance with India’s interests. Russia has more responsibility to resolve some differences that have emerged between India and Russia. Their relations are based on mutual interest and respect. Russia and India have been old friends for a very long time, but due to this rapidly changing economy, there have been some obstacles in their relations.
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