Author: Alberto Cossu – 05/04/2025
India and Russia: A Resilient Partnership
Alberto Cossu
The relationship between India and Russia is rooted in a long history of strategic cooperation, marked by a solid partnership in defense, energy, and diplomacy. The Russia-India summit held in December 2021 in New Delhi represented the pinnacle of this bond, giving a further boost to bilateral cooperation just before the conflict in Ukraine radically changed the global geopolitical landscape.
During the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2021, numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed across key sectors. These included military-technical cooperation for the next decade, energy collaboration, space exploration, science, and technology. The emphasis was placed on strengthening the special and privileged strategic partnership, aiming to expand cooperation in emerging areas and jointly address global challenges. At that time, the bilateral relationship was perceived as strong and continuously growing, with increasing trade exchanges and deep mutual trust.
The outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022 introduced new dynamics and complexities into India-Russia relations. While many Western countries imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia, India maintained a neutral stance, refraining from explicitly condemning Russia’s actions and continuing to engage in trade and diplomatic relations with Moscow.
This approach allowed India to continue purchasing Russian oil at discounted prices, becoming one of Moscow’s main crude buyers. This provided India with an economic advantage, helping it mitigate the impact of rising global energy prices. At the same time, it offered significant financial support to Russia during a period of intense international economic pressure.
However, this position also drew criticism from some Western countries that would have preferred a more explicit condemnation from India. Despite this, India has consistently defended its independent foreign policy based on national interests and its tradition of non-alignment.
Defense cooperation—a historical pillar of bilateral relations—has continued despite challenges related to sanctions and logistical difficulties. Russia remains an important supplier of arms to India, although New Delhi is gradually diversifying its sources for military procurement.
Recent statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov regarding an upcoming Russia-India Summit scheduled for early April 2025 highlight both nations’ commitment to maintaining and strengthening their strategic partnership. This meeting promises to be particularly significant as it offers an opportunity to assess the current state of bilateral relations amidst profound geopolitical changes and define priorities for future cooperation.
Key Topics Likely to Be Discussed at the Summit:
1.Trade and Investment: Exploring ways to further expand trade exchanges by diversifying sectors and leveraging alternative payment mechanisms to overcome sanctions-related challenges.
2. Energy: Continuing collaboration in oil and gas sectors while exploring new opportunities in civilian nuclear energy and renewable sources.
3. Defense and Security: Discussing future military-technical cooperation tailored to India’s evolving needs alongside Russia’s capabilities.
4.Connectivity: Promoting regional connectivity projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which also involves Iran.
5.Multilateral Cooperation: Coordinating positions on major international issues within forums such as the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The summit may also serve as an opportunity for India to reiterate its stance on the Ukraine conflict while encouraging peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Despite geopolitical challenges and external pressures, India-Russia relations have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Their strategic partnership remains a critical element in the international landscape with significant implications for global power dynamics. The upcoming summit involving the President of the Russian Federation presents a crucial opportunity for both countries to further consolidate their ties, explore new areas of cooperation, and jointly tackle challenges in an ever-changing world. In an increasingly complex international context, India’s and Russia’s ability to maintain constructive dialogue and pragmatic cooperation will be essential for the future of their partnership as well as regional and global stability.