India–Russia Relations: Geopolitics as we know is something which helps us in understanding the complex world which we live in. Geopolitics basically tells us how the geography of various countries has its influence on politics and economics and the relations between different countries of the world.
Geopolitics
Geopolitics majorly focuses on the geographical features of the world and how they have their impact on the politics of the world. And it also tells us about the relationships between different countries and continents. It mainly looks at the issues or things happening at the global level as the major changes which are being taken in the countries may affect the Global stage. It looks at the use of power of how various countries make relations with countries of similar ideas and agenda’s to fulfill collective goals.
Countries and their relations in the present time are very complex and are constantly changing according to their needs and requirements. And are always in a situation of controlling geographical areas and to use them to their political advantage. Geopolitics of the world is constantly changing and is a matter of issue that needs to be analyzed thoroughly for our better future and for the present too.
Geopolitics cannot be neglected as the effect of something in one country would affect the other country as can be seen in the case of Covid times and various issues or Wars like the Russia-Ukraine war which has impacted the world financially. So this needs to be kept in mind and its importance needs to be realized in the present time. And in this India is a major country which has a rule to play in geopolitics and cannot be taken for granted as it has become the fifth largest economy of the world and most populated country too. India has good relations with many countries of the world and tries to put up its opinions and ideology at the world stage. In that context let’s talk about India’s relation with one of the strongest countries of the world , Russia.
As The foreign minister of India S. Jaishankar visited Russia a few days back and therefore showed the world how strong India and Russia’s relations are and talked regarding various important issues related to their relationship like imports related to Defence, nuclear etc.
S Jaishankar met various Russian leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin during his five day visit to Moscow.
He talked regarding the multilateral cooperation required in the present times. There were three documents which were signed during his visit and those are the first one regarding the kudankulam nuclear reactor project the second one was an Mou on cooperation Pharmaceuticals and the last one was regarding the protocol on foreign office consultations. He also visited the school number. 653 which was named after Rabindranath Tagore which teaches Hindi as part of its curriculum.
The strong bonding Of Cultural relations was by the interaction and people to people exchange is in Moscow. He also had an interaction with the indologists who study about Indian culture, heritage architecture etc.
And during this whole visit India clearly gave the message to the world about the strong relationship between India and Russia that has always been a steady and consistent end of great Value irrespective of time.
So let’s get into some detail about the India-Russia relations.
From the past 60 to 70 years India’s relationship with Russia has been consistent and strong. India and the Soviet Union (predecessor of Russia) have shared good relations with each other in the areas of Defence, nuclear and had various strategic and diplomatic interactions during the cold war era. The status of India Russia relationship has elevated it to the state of special and privileged strategic partnership.
Russia had helped India extensively in the areas of Defence and nuclear power. And has also invested in areas like mining, steel plants and machinery building.
Both the countries have tried to strengthen the relationship by signing various studies like the Treaty of peace and friendship in the year 1971 and agreements like bilateral Military-Technical Cooperation agreement in 1994.
Different aspects in the India–Russia relations
Political Aspect
The strategic partnership between the two countries has always been strong. And the annual Summit meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Russia is the biggest example of those relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin in the year 2018 in Sochi, Russia which was a kind of informal Summit between the two. The two countries are also part of various multilateral organizations like BRICS, G20,SCO and the UN.
Our honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded with the order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Russia’s highest state decoration to appreciate the contributions he made to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. Russia has also been an ardent supporter of India’s seat in the UN’s security Council.
Most importantly Russia has been sensitive to India’s position on the India Pakistan issue over Kashmir.
Defense relations
Russia has been a crucial partner when it comes to Defence. Russian played a very important role in strengthening the pillar of Defence of our country. Russia has been the largest exporter of Defence equipment to India.
India’s purchased various defense weapons from Russia like S-400 Triumph Missile system, Kamov 226 helicopters which would be jointly manufactured under the Make in India initiative, INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier program, etc. India also performs various military exercises with Russia like INDRA AND AVI-INDRA. And both the countries have military joint programs also like BrahMos cruise missile, and Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft.
Economic and trade India–Russia Relations
The trade relations between the two countries are concentrated in various sectors like automobile commercial shopping petroleum products pharmaceuticals precious stones industrial material aerospace and many more. Russia is cooperating with India in its MAKE IN INDIA initiative. Both the countries ARE making efforts to achieve the target of mutual investment of 15 Million Dollar each way by 2025. And also focusing on mutual Investments in technology and investment projects.
The north South transport corridor is also being built and enhanced to ensure better connectivity and trade relations between India and Russia and other neighboring countries. Hindi current situation India is the major buyer of Russian products and therefore provides a big market for Russia.
Energy security partnership
Nuclear energy in the present time is a very crucial aspect of geopolitics. And India puts a lot of focus on it. Russia has built nuclear reactors for India -The kudankulam reactor and is expected to build another 12 reactors.
Countries are working jointly on building a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. India is also focusing on indigenous development of nuclear equipment. And they have also signed an MOU on supplies of LNG to India. And is working on a maritime route from Chennai to Vladivostok to use it for energy trade.
Scientific India–Russia Relations
The scientific Corporation between India and Russia is trending with time it has developed network of various Universities to help in the development of scientific Technology in our country.In the earlier times help India to launch its first satellite Aryabhata and Bhaskar and helped in the development of cryogenic engine for heavy rockets. Our most important Mission which is the Gaganyaan mission ,the astronauts working in that mission will be trained by Russia.
Russian State Space Corporation ‘Roscosmos’ and the ISRO will cooperate on human spaceflight and satellite navigation programs.
Cultural India–Russia Relations
Russia was the Country which came to the term Indology and thinkers like Leo Tolstoy greatly influenced and contributed to Indian literature. Programs like Namaste Russia have helped in connecting People from both the countries and to share their cultural activities with each other.
Conclusion
India–Russia Relations has always been a very special one and a great importance for both the countries. And they have aligned their interest in producing a multipolar world.
They consider this partnership as a “special and privileged strategic partnership”. There are some issues with impacting their relationship like the increased costs, conflict in regards to the US, reduction in defense orders and a closed relationship between China and Russia. The Russian government has also questioned Quad as it considered it as a threat to their power.
But after the external ministers visit to Russia gives the clear idea that the relationship between India and Russia is very strong at this point of time and both the countries want to remain good alive in the future to help in each other inbuilding a multipolar world Russia has definitely help us in difficult Times and show that cooperation through multilateral organizations like BRICS, SCO G20 etc. And has helped in many sectors as stated above like defense, energy security ,nuclear power and trade.
And therefore the relationship of 60 to 70 years will definitely be an asset for our country in the near future.
