India- Russia Relations: Towards a Stronger Strategic Partnership

Abstract

India-Russia relations, in the contemporary period and historically, India-Soviet Union relations had continued to be strong. There might be a little difference as far as their dynamism and energy are concerned, but by and large, the ties have been solid and extremely vital for both our countries. This relationship, notwithstanding the fact that it is so important, doesn’t attract a lot of traction; it doesn’t attract much attention from the people, whether it is from the academic world or the general public. In his first foreign visit, Prime Minister Modi went to Fortaleza in 2014, after assuming power in July 2014.  If one were to go down a street and then meet a child and ask them which the strongest relationship is for India, the child, even without batting an eyelid, would say it is Russia. So, as far as people are concerned, as far as academia is concerned, they do realise it is the most crucial relationship however doesn’t get all that much of attraction. This paper discusses the historical evolution of relations between India and the Soviet Union and, later, Russia, focusing on the current state of relations. We are also at a very important stage in the development of the bilateral ties because we have just had on 10th November 2021, the meeting of the national security advisers to discuss Afghanistan; the Russian NSA also participated in those discussions and in December, the visit of President Vladimir Putin is much awaited. And just before that, India and Russia are expected also to have the first 2+2 dialogue, which means India’s defence minister, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar will be travelling to Russia to meet with their counterparts to mark the first 2+2 dialogue between India and the Russian Federation. So, we are at a threshold of a very important phase in our bilateral ties.