India-Russia Relations

Synopsis- The visit of Russian Foreign Minister to India highlights the evolving nature of the India-Russia relationship.

Introduction-

• • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s recent visit to the subcontinent [India followed by Pakistan] highlights Moscow’s reorientation in the area.
  • The Russian FM met with his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S Jaishanker, to discuss a number of diplomatic issues.
  • The trip was also intended to finalise plans for Russian President upcoming visit to India for the annual India-Russia summit, which was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key highlights of the meeting-

• Strategic co-corporation – During the meeting, the two sides reviewed their cooperation in areas such as oil, nuclear, space technology and the defense sector and free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

• Military Co-corporation- The two sides also discussed defence co-corporation and expansion of the manufacturing of state-of-the-art Russian weapons in India under the Make in India initiatives.

• Trade connectivity- The two sides also spoke about connectivity, including the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Chennai-Vladivstok Eastern Maritime Corridor.

Incident where India and Russian seems on a different page-

• Russian FM makes more continental references to the Indo-Pacific zone.
  • • The word “Indo-Pacific” was used by the Indian External Affairs Minister, while Lavrov insisted on “Asia Pacific.”

• The Russian FM referred to the Quad as a “Asian NATO” .
  • • In a reference to the Quad, Russian FM said that alliances like “Asian NATO” can be “counterproductive” and incompatible with “inclusive cooperation.”

• On Afghanistan issue-
  • • The Russian drive for a power-sharing agreement with the Taliban in Kabul appeared to clash with India’s insistence on a democratic Afghanistan [peace process be based on foundational principles].

• Russia started deepen its ties with Pakistan-
  • • Following India, Russia’s Foreign Minister visited Pakistan for the first time in nine years, signaling a strengthening of relations.
    • Lavrov said that Russia is “prepared” to assist Pakistan in its counter-terrorism efforts by providing “special military equipment.”
    • India is concerned about the increasing Russia-Pakistan relations.

Way forward-

• During Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s recent visit to India, some promising points included strategic co-corporation, military co-corporation, and trade connectivity.
• Both nations, however, must concentrate on the differences in order to dispel the idea that their relations are in jeopardy.

Source- The Hindu