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Putin-Modi meet strengthens India-russia ties!

Tags: india russia

The Indian and Russian ties have been cemented in history since the 20th century. It is based on mutual trust and the beneficiary cooperation between the 2 nations. This friendship has been vital to both countries.

Diplomatic relations had started evolving before the independence of India. It was with the help of the Soviet Union’s investments in the heavy industries that India was able to attain self-efficiency. To be precise, out of 16, about 8 heavy industry projects which were initiated with the help of the Soviet Union. These are like BHEL, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which have become a globally competitive public sector of the country.

The steel industry in India and the world-renowned IIT Bombay is also established through this international collaboration well. The most critical moment of this friendship dates to August 1971 when the treaty of peace and friendship was signed by both the countries.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a new Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed in January 1993 along with a bilateral Military-Technical Cooperation agreement in 1994.

INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS IN THE 21st CENTURY

Russia and India have been right partners in each other’s development, especially when many countries were looming with an economic crisis. When the head of the state of these 2 countries meets, it does not mean that it is a bilateral dialogue. The ties between the 2 countries have spiraled upwards in the past few years. Both Modi and Putin enjoy cordial relationships. This is witnessed as both the leaders have met each other 4 times since the previous annual summit in Russia.

The informal visit of the leader from Kremlin would be the 5th such meet. Both enjoy regular telephonic conversations and seek ways to boost bilateral trade. Not to forget is the recently held St. Petersberg international economic summit forum in 2017. Regarding a summit for international cooperation, this is by far the largest and the most prestigious event in Russia. The pavilion of this summit was labeled with the banner of “Make in India.” In this, Modi participated in a plenary session next to Putin

The relationship between the nations has indeed changed the international relations of many countries.

India and Russia had a trade boom in the year 2017 when the total value of trade increased to an impressive 22 percent. This improvement in the cooperation ranges from m the agriculture to the energy sector to the defense and the pharmaceutical.

ENERGY SECTOR

The most pertinent aspect of this ties which is instrumental to Indian is that Russia can fulfill the energy requirements of the country. Union Minister Dharmendra This was witnessed in the early June 2018 when India received liquified natural gas (LNG). This was the first consignment which was delivered from Russia’s Gazprom.

Both the countries further welcomed the cooperation between the Indian and the Russian companies in the energy sector. There have been significant investments by the Indian consortium in Taas-Yuryakh Neftegazodobycha in Russia. Similarly, there has been about $12.9 billion purchase by Rosneft in India’s second largest private oil refiner. Essar oil. This makes it the largest investor in India in the energy sector.

With this, India takes a bold step as it may invite complications with the USA with the imposition of Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act(CAATSA). Imposition of this sanction is on any country for significant dealing with Russia in the defense or the energy sector.

However, fortunately, Defense Secretary has sought an exception for India. At the same time, the US Congress has given the authority to waive off CAASTA to the US administration. It is up to the president to decide whether such waiver is to be considered or not. This sanction is a significant threat looming on the country.

Nevertheless, the U.S. cannot impose sanctions on India because they would surely not want the Indians to be upset with this and refuse the purchase of American weapons in the future.”

Amid this, the state has balanced well its cordial friendship with both the countries. A good move by Modi is that good terms with both the countries would lead to a value specific proposal for the same.

Besides, the diversification strategy implemented by having regular informal meets with the Russian leader has borne its fruit. These informal talks have improved the negotiating power of the country as a primary energy importer and would not constraint the option.

DEFENSE

The 2 countries have great ties concerning defense sector as well. In order to be the largest arms supplier to the Indian market, Kremlin has kept up with its cutting edge technology. Both the countries have signed a contract for the supply of S-200 surface to air missiles. Delivery of these missiles would take place from the year 2020. Its deployment would be at the Pakistani and Chinese border.

A diplomatic win over here is that again India was able to reduce the price by $1 billion during the negotiation time frame of 2 years.

Also, the 2 have signed an intergovernmental agreement for importing of Kamov Ka 226T light utility helicopters and collaboration in the manufacturing of four Admiral Grigorovich–class guided-missile stealth frigates.

THE LOOMING THREAT OF RUSSIA-CHINA RELATIONS

China has lately started dominating the whole Asian subcontinent. This domination is so much that old ties have deteriorated and foes are now aligning with each other to counter this uprising.

This new power is changing the way how international politics works. It has forced countries to revive their formats and diversify international policy to be versatile enough. Moscow’s weakness and the growing closeness to China is a threat to India. This development has forced India to move towards the USA. It is because the only assurance for India since 1962 was its ties with Russia. The reason why china-soviet union relations started deteriorating was that the Soviet Union supported India which was its friend rather than China which was its brother in the sino-china war in the year 1962.

The Russia-china relation would impact not only India but also the whole of the Indo-Pacific region due to its widespread implications. Russia-china are albeit at present only having close relations, and not a complete alliance. The recent twin visit by the Chinese foreign minister and defense minister to Russia sends a loud and a clear message. To add on, China has been granted the permission by Russia to export 50 JF-17 “Thunder fighter” which use Russian engines. Such allowance has never been given before.

Also, Pakistan can get Russian military types of equipment via China. Although Russia has refused to sell equipment to Pakistan, one cannot be sufficiently assured as Russia is known for diversifying its military market.

However, this Russia-china relations would only further cast a shadow on India if the present dispute of Sino-India is not solved. The recent standoff at the Doklam territory does highlight the strains in the relations of India with its immediate neighbors. Both have a disputed border, including Doklam which is claimed by both Bhutan and China. China and India are at present competing for a leadership position in the Asia Pacific region and the Indian ocean. The GDP of China is 4 times more, and its defense budget is 3 times more than India. This difference in the budget of China further pushes India to seek ways to counter its neighbors.

CHANGING EQUATION OF INDIA-RUSSIA TIES

One cannot deny the changing geopolitical dynamics due to the rise of China at the international forum. The international sanction against Kremlin, economic stagnation of Russia has forced India to find other allies in the European front. The Kremlin did play a significant role for India to get a membership in the Shanghai cooperation organization; although this move was for diluting the Chinese dominance in the group.

Moscow itself is concerned with the growing diversification of India in the sector of defense and energy. Although there have been new developments of India with Russia in the supply of LNG, yet this development was followed after the USA delivered its first ever arrival of an LNG cargo. The delivery was made to the Indian shores on 30th March 2018. The ship carrying supercooled oil reached Dabhol, Maharashtra.

The decisive point of the Russian ties is that it is the only country which is willing to provide India with critical technologies such as nuclear submarines, which the USA would never will. India needs Russia as it supplies about 73% of the country’s military equipment. Aso, India needs Russia for its defense, and Russia needs India for revenue. So, such defense deals would continue irrespective of whether it creates an ire from Europe and the USA. ¬¬

WHAT INDIA NEEDS TO DO NOW?

China and the USA are growing powerful day by day and thus creating a bipolar vacuum of power in the world. A similar situation was present before the cold war because of the Soviet Union and the USA.

This situation would reduce the strategic mobility of foreign policies of countries, especially India and Russia. India needs to have a multifacet relationship with Moscow provided if it wants to reduce the growing dependence of Moscow in Beijing. For this, sooner or later, India would have to revise its policies on defense and majorly in the energy sector.

So, at present, India has to keep a balance in ties with Russia and USA; with Russia, India has to be very careful. It has to continue to have high-level dealings with Russia to ensure that IT does not align to a particular side altogether.

On the one hand, the Sino-India relations are deteriorating while India’s ties have substantially improved with the USA. The support from the white house for India’s claim for a permanent seat in the UNSC, India’s entry in the Nuclear Suppliers group are specific issues which are strongly opposed by Beijing.

This can also be considered the USA wants to keep a check on the growing influence of China. Also, to push India as the regional leader is an agenda of USA. Nevertheless, India is the only way to oppose China from completely dominating South Asia and the Indian ocean as it has a lot to offer regarding trade and defense. India agenda to diversify its partner is the key reason to bring the USA into the fray.

India and Russia now have to only work towards improving their relations. This can be done as they have many areas of common interest. Culturally, Russian and Indian educational institutions should have much interaction. At present, Indian languages such as Tamil, Sanskrit Marathi, and various other languages are being taught in Russia. Developing a model called Russia-India knowledge initiative on the lines of USA-India knowledge initiative would be a good step. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), can grant more scholarships to Russian students to study in India.

A further area of cooperation is the Russian Far East. Since it requires much development in the form of infrastructure, Indian and Russia consortium can have a joint venture regarding the same. Also, the labor can include both the Russian and India. It would boost the employability rate of both countries.

Afghanistan is also a hotbed topic for both nations. The deteriorating states of the country is undoubtedly a security threat as neither wants it to churn terrorism. Also, it is the main area for drug trafficking. So, the first step can be in the form of economic aid to the country.

At the highest level, India Russia and China can work together to remove any mistrust between India and China. This is undoubtedly going to be beneficial to India.

Exploring the joint venture in the diamond sector is also a viable option to improve the ties. India is known for having the largest diamond polishing industry in the world. On the other hand, Russia is having a vast amount of diamond. One cannot deny the fact the country is far ahead of India concerning technology. So, having a joint venture regarding the same on research and development, nanotechnology, biotechnology, microelectronics would prove beneficial. At the same time, India can help Russia to build its IT sector.

All the more, India needs to fulfill its energy requirement as soon as possible. Energy is one area where the two economies are complementary. Both nations can research how to exploit natural energy to its fullest for the betterment of the nation. Also, the Indian government should encourage companies to invest in these projects which would eventually create jobs. This would help in retaining the population of that area. Getting help from Russia to build nuclear reactors in the country can also be done by having a joint consortium.

Finally, India should promote a trilateral with the USA and Russia to counter China strategically.

In other words, India should neither maneuver along the Sino-Russia bloc or should completely align with the USA. It should form a diversified multilateral relation with both Russia and USA. This would thus help India in all phases.

The post Putin-Modi meet strengthens India-russia ties! appeared first on Election Tamasha.



This post first appeared on Election Tamasha, please read the originial post: here

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