India-Russia Relation

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Introduction

India–Russia relations are being re-energised after President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to New Delhi for the 23rd Annual Summit. The two leaders used the visit to deepen their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in trade, connectivity, defence and nuclear energy. This comes at a time of stalled India–US ties, shifting great-power equations, the Ukraine conflict, and renewed debate on how India can protect its long-term strategic autonomy.

Background and Changing Geopolitical Context

Indo-Soviet strategic partnership: India–Russia relations draw on the old Indo-Soviet strategic partnership. Earlier, both countries shared a common perception of threat from China. This, combined with US policies unfriendly to India on issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, created strong strategic alignment.

After the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union, this equation changed. The earlier Chinese security “glue” faded for Russia. Yet, a large defence hardware relationship, built over three decades, continued to provide a floor to the partnership.

Post-Cold War Reordering: After the Soviet collapse, India diversified its defence sources, but this shift required time. Russia still remained important because many key Indian platforms depended on Russian systems. Russia also wanted to retain India as a major defence market. This legacy continues to shape ties today.

New Strains in India–US Relations: India–US ties have lost momentum under Donald Trump’s second term. The US seems less focused on the Indo-Pacific and on countering China. India’s place in the earlier Indo-Pacific strategy has reduced. The US has also imposed harsh tariffs on Indian goods and extra penal tariffs for buying Russian oil. India has limited ability to retaliate.

Key Highlights of the Recent 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit

1. Long-Term Economic Vision

• Both sides adopted the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India–Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 (Programme 2030).
  • They set a revised bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030, with emphasis on increasing India’s exports and balanced trade.

2. Progress Toward a Trade Agreement
   • India and the Eurasian Economic Union are working towards a Free Trade Agreement.
   • They welcomed outcomes of the 25th and 26th IRIGC-TEC sessions, the India–Russia Business Forum (New Delhi, November 2024; Moscow, August 2025), and the India–Russia Business Dialogue.
   • Both reaffirmed support for a WTO-centred multilateral trading system.

Connectivity and Transport Corridors
 •’Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation on International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route.
• They noted an MoU on training specialists for ships in polar waters and ongoing cooperation between railways through technology exchange.

Cooperation in the Russian Far East and Arctic
 • They highlighted the 2024–2029 Programme of Cooperation in Trade, Economic and Investment Spheres for the Russian Far East and Arctic.
•’Priority sectors include energy, mining, agriculture, manpower, pharmaceuticals, diamonds, and maritime transport.
• Russia welcomed India’s participation in the 6th International Arctic Forum, Murmansk (March 2025).

Payment Systems and Currency Use
 • Both sides agreed to expand bilateral settlements in national currencies.
• They will continue discussions on interoperability of national payment systems, financial messaging platforms, and central bank digital currencies.

Defence and Nuclear Cooperation
 •!Russia remains a key partner for nuclear submarines and anti-missile systems such as the S-400, used effectively in Operation Sindoor.
• Russia also reaffirmed willingness to work with India on small modular reactors (SMR) and floating nuclear power plants.

Mobility, Fertilizers, and Critical Materials
 • Both sides welcomed steps to ensure long-term fertilizer supplies and explore joint ventures in this sector.
• They noted agreements on skilled worker mobility.
• Russia acknowledged India’s role in the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (June 2025) and Eastern Economic Forum (September 2025).
• Both stressed trade in energy, mineral resources, precious stones, metals, and critical raw materials as vital for national security and supply chain stability.

Global Reactions and Geopolitical Impact

1. Russia’s Domestic Gain: Warm reception in India provides Putin significant political value at home. It shows he is not isolated internationally despite sanctions and the war in Ukraine.
2. China’s Mixed View: Some Chinese voices worry that stronger India–Russia defence ties may strengthen a regional competitor. However, China may also welcome shifts in India–US ties, as reduced India–US alignment lowers pressure on Beijing.
3. Europe’s Discomfort but Strategic Convergence: Europe is unhappy with India’s warm engagement with Putin while the war in Ukraine continues. Yet long-term strategic convergence with India is increasing due to concerns about US unpredictability and China’s assertiveness. European leaders will attend India’s next Republic Day as honoured guests.
4. India’s Position on Ukraine: India supports early peace and stands for sovereignty and territorial integrity, while avoiding direct criticism of Russia. This reflects a balance between values and practical interests.

What are the Challenges in the relation?

1. Deepening of India-US relations-

• The India-US relations is rapidly deepening especially in the defense sector, which is exemplified in the India-US nuclear deal in 2008, US emerging as the top arms supplier to India by overtaking Russia and India-US Foundational agreements such LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA.
• Due to these developments, Russia changed their decades-old policy and start supplying China with weapon systems like Sukhoi 35 and the S-400 missile defence system.

2. Russia’s growing dependence on China- Moscow and Beijing have forged the closest possible ties in their history. This has generated fears that Russia will become a subordinate partner given the growing economic, demographic and technological asymmetry between them. This could jeopardize Moscow’s neutrality on Sino-Indian tensions.
3. Russia’s increased engagement with Pakistan- Russia has been increasing its economic and defence cooperation with Pakistan, like conduction of bilateral exercise Friendship. The RCP axis (Russia, China, Pakistan) will be detrimental to India’s national interest.
4. Trade Imbalances- Even though the bilateral trade between the two nations has increased in the face of crude oil imports, there is considerable trade imbalances between India and Russia. Of the total trade of $65 billion, India’s exports constitute less than $5 billion.
5. Defense Delays- There have been considerable delays in the delivery of military spares and big-ticket weapon systems like the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems, to India due to the Ukraine War.
6. Ukraine Crisis- The continuing Russia-Ukraine war has put India into a diplomatic tightspot. India has been facing significant criticism for not condemning the invasion and continuing energy and economic cooperation with Moscow.

What Should be the Way Forward?

1. Neutral Player in the resolution of Ukraine Crisis- India must continue to maintain its positioning as a neutral player that could be a mediator between the two sides in the resolution of the Ukraine Crisis. India must continue to appeal to both sides to ‘abide by the international rules and conventions‘.
2. Addressing defense supply chain shocks- India and Russia must explore setting up joint venture partnerships to address the shortage of critical defense spare parts.
3. More diplomatic and financial investments- India and Russia must invest more diplomatic and financial resources to finish the pending works for the International North-South Transport Corridor. Both sides should expedite discussions on the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Union for better trade and commerce.
4. Enhanced focus on Eurasia- India and Russia have to explore their opportunities in the Eurasian region. India can study the possibility of expanding Russia’s idea of ‘extensive Eurasian partnership‘ involving the EAEU(Eurasian Economic Union) and China, India, Pakistan, and Iran.
5. Unequivocal message to the Western countries- India must send unequivocal message to the West that Russia occupies a pivotal place in India’s strategic calculations. It must be conveyed that the West needs India just as much as India needs the West.

Conclusion

India–Russia ties today rest on a legacy of strategic trust, new economic and connectivity initiatives, and sensitive defence and nuclear cooperation. At the same time, US pressure, Russia’s China tilt, the Ukraine war and trade imbalances create real constraints. India must use careful balancing and Programme 2030 to safeguard interests and strategic autonomy amid shifting global geopolitics.

Question for practice:

Discuss how recent geopolitical shifts and the outcomes of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit are reshaping the strategic partnership between India and Russia.

Source: Indian Express , DD News