Namaste, Mr. Putin: Russia and India forge closer ties despite Western pressure

India Gazette

6 days ago

As the Russian leader prepares to visit New Delhi, experts revisit the foundations of one of the world's most enduring and underestimated partnerships
As Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India for the two nations' 23rd bilateral summit later this year, experts in both countries are actively formulating proposals ahead of the trip. Mutual trust remains the cornerstone of the Russian-Indian partnership - a quality that has become even more significant in recent years as both countries navigate global turbulence and shifts in the world order.
In the current geopolitical landscape, Moscow-New Delhi relations go beyond a bilateral framework and contribute an important element of continuity and stability to international relations and the global economy.
A group of Russian and Indian experts has come together to take a fresh look at the India-Russia relationship. Their ideas have been compiled in a new book published earlier this year by Indian publishing house Har-Anand Publications, titled 'India and Russia: Enduring Trust in a Transformational Era'.
The book is edited by renowned expert Dr. Lydia Kulik, head of India Studies at the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO and senior research fellow at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The publication also received support from Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, diplomatic affairs editor at The Economic Times.
"This edition is a selection of opinions from Russia and India providing a fresh look at the relationship that is of utmost importance to the people of our two civilization-states, as well as to the world undergoing profound change," Kulik told RT. She added that the purpose behind the book was to assess the evolution of bilateral ties from the Soviet era to the pivotal year of 2024, when relations experienced an unprecedented boost.
The book addresses the full spectrum of bilateral relations - from traditional pillars of the partnership to emerging areas of cooperation. The contributing authors are renowned scholars and experienced practitioners from both countries, ensuring that the recommendations offered are both research-based and practically applicable. The authors also point out gaps in the relationship, including the absence of a systematic approach to developing science and technology cooperation.
Pankaj Saran, convener of NatStrat and former Indian ambassador to Russia, offers a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the bilateral relationship. He concludes that India-Russia ties will endure despite current geopolitical challenges, including Russia's confrontation with the West and its deepening ties with China.
Tatyana Shaumyan, head of the Center for Indian Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, noted that "Moscow appreciates India's foreign policy based on the pillars of strategic autonomy."
She argues that while India called for Russia to halt its special military operation in Ukraine, it abstained from voting on several UN resolutions condemning Russia's actions - including one at the UN General Assembly on the seizure of Ukrainian territory and a proposal to remove Russia from the Human Rights Council.
"In its strategic orientations, the Indian leadership is increasingly striving to ensure the country's important position not only in the South Asian region, but also at the level of global international relations, aiming to globalize its political thinking and real policy as India's economic, technological, and military power strengthens," she writes.
Shaumyan, a distinguished Russian Indologist and recipient of India's Padma Shri award, also analyzes the prospects and limitations of India-Russia cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the SCO, RIC, and BRICS.
Experts highlight the significance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Moscow in July 2024. It was his first visit to Russia since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022 - and his first bilateral trip after being re-elected in June 2024.
Leyla Turayanova, junior research fellow at the Center for the Indo-Pacific Region of the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO RAS), concludes that India-Russia relations have withstood the stress test imposed by the Ukraine crisis, while their economic ties have significantly expanded. At the same time, New Delhi has demonstrated its commitment to multi-alignment despite growing engagement with the West in recent years.
Practical issues affecting India-Russia relations are also addressed. A team of authors including Julia Melnikova (program manager for Asia and Eurasia at the Russian International Affairs Council), Natalia Viakhireva (head of Canadian Studies at the Georgy Arbatov Institute for US and Canadian Studies), and Gleb Gryzlov (program coordinator at RIAC), explores the issue of connectivity. According to them, the post-2022 expansion of bilateral trade has made India a key stakeholder in Russia's connectivity projects, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor. At the same time, the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route are emerging as new frontiers in the partnership.
Sergey Komyshan, executive director and board member of SIBUR, analyzes trade and investment prospects through the example of Reliance Sibur Elastomers Private Ltd. - a successful joint venture that showcases the potential of India-Russia industrial cooperation. He also highlights new areas for collaboration, including mutual integration of payment systems, cooperation in carbon credits, and water recycling.
Aaryaman Nijhawan, international relations researcher and analyst, discusses the future of military-technical cooperation, drawing lessons from the Ukraine conflict. He identifies untapped opportunities such as joint drone development, anti-drone systems, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Olga Ustyuzhantseva and Ivan Danilin of IMEMO RAS emphasize the rising importance of bilateral science and technology ties, driven in part by India's rapid high-tech growth. However, challenges remain, including vague institutional frameworks, limited investment, and a lack of integration between business and innovation ecosystems. The authors stress the need to shift from state-driven initiatives to private-sector-led partnerships and greater involvement of startups and SMEs.
Cooperation in the financial sector - which became especially urgent after Western sanctions on Moscow - is examined by Sergey Storchak, senior banker at VEB.RF and former Russian deputy finance minister. He emphasizes that current geopolitical challenges require deeper bilateral financial engagement, including trade in national currencies, secure and fast cross-border payments, and integration of financial messaging systems.
Anna Kireeva, associate professor at MGIMO and senior research fellow at its Institute for International Studies, places the India-Russia partnership within a broader Russia-India-ASEAN context. She proposes new formats for cooperation, such as strategic dialogue on policy and security, joint arms production, maritime security, and the formation of technological alliances.
Aleksei Zakharov, research fellow at the Center for Indian Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, agrees that Russia's approach to South Asia is evolving - from a narrow India-centric view to a broader engagement with other regional powers. He notes that while India remains central to Russia's regional strategy, South Asia as a whole is becoming a zone of expanded diplomatic and economic interest for Moscow.
As President Putin prepares to visit India, a new expert volume explores the enduring strength, emerging challenges, and strategic depth of bilateral ties.