Russia- India: India-Russia Strategic Partnership and Implications

The relations between India and Russia are very old. Since the signing of the “India-Russia Strategic Partnership Declaration” in October 2000, India-Russia relations have seen increased cooperation in almost all areas of bilateral relations, including political, security, defence, trade and economy, science and technology, and culture. A qualitative redesign has been seen with the increased levels.

During the Cold War, India and the Soviet Union had a strong strategic, military, economic and diplomatic relationship. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited its close ties with India, resulting in the two countries sharing a special strategic relationship. However, relations have taken a severe turn in the last few years, especially in the post-Covid scenario. The biggest reason for this is Russia’s close ties with China and Pakistan, which have caused many geopolitical issues in India over the years.

India-Russia Political Affiliation

The annual summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation is the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between India and Russia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin held their first informal summit in the year 2018 in the city of Sochi, Russian Federation.
In the year 2019, President Putin conferred Russia’s highest honor – “Order of St. Andrew the Apostle” on PM Narendra Modi. The same was awarded to the Prime Minister for his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged, strategic partnership between Russia and India and to the development of friendly relations between the Russian and Indian peoples.
Two intergovernmental commissions meet annually – the first trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), and the second on military-technical cooperation (IRIGC-MTC).

India-Russia Trade relations

Both countries are striving to increase bilateral investment to US$ 50 billion and bilateral trade to US$ 30 billion by the year 2025.
Bilateral trade stood at US$ 8.1 billion during FY2020.
From 2013 to 2016 there was a major decline in the trade percentage between the two countries. However, it increased from 2017 and continued to see growth in 2018 and 2019 as well.

India-Russia Defense and Security Relations

India-Russia military-technical cooperation has evolved from a buyer-seller framework for joint research, development and production of advanced defence technologies and systems.

Both countries regularly conduct the tri-services exercise ‘INDRA’.
Joint military programs between India and Russia include:
Brahmos cruise missile program
5th generation fighter jet program
Sukhoi Su-30MKI Program
Ilyushin/HAL Strategic Transport Aircraft
KA-226T twin-engine utility helicopter
some warships
Military hardware purchased/leased by India from Russia includes:
S-400 Triumph
200 Kamov Ka-226 to be made in India under Make in India initiative
T-90S Bhishma

INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier Program

Russia also plays a very important role in assisting the Indian Navy in its submarine programs
The first submarine of the Indian Navy, the ‘Foxtrot Class’ was acquired from Russia.
India is dependent on Russia for its nuclear submarine program.
INS Vikramaditya, the only aircraft carrier operated by India, is also of Russian origin.
Of the fourteen conventional submarines operated by India, nine are Indian.
Other important areas of relations between India and Russia

Nuclear Bonding

Russia is an important partner of India in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It recognizes India as a country with advanced nuclear technology with an unblemished non-proliferation record.
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built in India.
Both India and Russia are setting up the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project in Bangladesh.

Space Probes

The two sides cooperate in the peaceful uses of outer space, including satellite launches, the GLONASS navigation system, remote sensing, and other societal applications of outer space.
An MoU on joint activities in the field of the Human Space Flight Program was signed by ISRO and Roscosmos during the 19th Bilateral Summit.

Science and Technology

The Working Group on Science and Technology, the Integrated Long-Term Program (ILTP) and the Basic Science Cooperation Program operating under the IRIGC-TEC are the three main institutional mechanisms for bilateral S&T cooperation, while the science academies of both countries promote inter-academic exchanges. To promote it.
Several new initiatives in this area include the India-Russia Bridge to Innovation, cooperation in telemedicine, the creation of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) and the Russia India Network of Universities (RIN).

Cultural Relations

Hindi is taught regularly to about 1500 Russian students in about 20 Russian institutions, including leading universities and schools.
Besides Hindi, languages such as Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Urdu, Sanskrit and Pali are taught in Russian institutions.
Indian dance, music, yoga and Ayurveda are some of the other interests that Russians are interested in.

Importance of Russia to India

Balancing China: The Chinese presence in border areas of Eastern Ladakh While the visit marked a turning point in India-China relations, it also demonstrated that Russia could contribute to reducing tensions with China.
Russia organized a trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China following deadly clashes in the Galway Valley in the disputed region of Ladakh.
Emerging new areas of economic engagement: In addition to traditional areas of cooperation such as weapons, hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, and diamonds, new areas of economic engagement are likely to emerge – mining, agro-industrial and high technology, including robotics, nanotech, and biotech.
India’s footprint is set to expand in the Russian Far East and the Arctic. Connectivity projects can also get a boost.
Counter Terrorism: India and Russia are working to bridge the gap between Afghanistan and both countries have called for early finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Support in multilateral fora: In addition, Russia supports India’s candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Military Exports of Russia: Russia has been one of the largest arms exporters to India. Even Russia’s share in India’s arms imports fell by more than 50% in the last five-year period as compared to the previous five years (2011-2015).
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks the global arms trade, India has imported arms worth US$35 billion from Russia in the last 20 years.