IN FOCUS
held between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi
earlier this year in Sochi, the Indian Ministry of External
Aff airs stated in its press release that the two leaders agreed
“to intensify consultation and coordination with each
other, including on the Indo-Pacifi c”. Meanwhile, in his
comments on the meeting, Russian Foreign Aff airs Minister
Sergei Lavrov underlined the mutual conviction that “new
security architecture in Asia-Pacifi c should be based on
non-bloc principles, principles of open, equal and indivisible
security”. Moscow is apparently wary of the emergence of the
‘Quad’ and equivalent groupings’, especially platforms for
cooperation in the military domain. In contrast, New Delhi is
concerned about China’s assertive policies in the region and
stands for ‘respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, rule
of law, freedom of navigation and overfl ight’ in the Indian
Ocean and beyond.
The Indo-Pacifi c concept is not endorsed by Russian
offi cialdom for it has been actively promoted by the Donald
Trump administration. For India, Washington’s increased focus
on the Indo-Pacifi c is considered favourable as it demonstrates
its centrality in the region. Thus, the usage of terms is an
indicator of diff erent prisms through which Moscow and New
Delhi view regional processes. Their approaches towards the
Indo-Pacifi c are thus not broadly congruent.
Enduring Concerns
The geopolitical environment that India and Russia have
been operating in since 2014 continues to shape their bilateral
relationship. US-Russia relations are unlikely to improve
in the near-term. India-China relations, notwithstanding
economic cooperation, continue to suff er from trust defi cit
and remain at variance on various strategic matters.
Meanwhile, Moscow and New Delhi seem to be adapting to
the changing geopolitical realities but they have a long way
to go in terms of addressing each other’s strategic concerns.
Moscow’s growing strategic convergence and understanding
with Beijing and New Delhi’s growing defence and security
cooperation with Washington have gained momentum due to
objective reasons. Neither India nor Russia, however, view
these endeavours as potential disruptors to their bilateral
cooperation.
The Indo-Russian bilateral summit also sends certain
signals to both China and the US. From the Russian
perspective a move to supply the S-400 is an indicator
of its balanced policy in Asia, whereas for India it is a
demonstration of its independent foreign policy even under
the threat of US sanctions.
While adjusting and adapting to the geopolitical
challenges, the two countries cannot aff ord to overlook
bilateral issues that remain chronically unresolved. The India-
Russia partnership, albeit showing some positive signals by
way of increased interaction at the top most level, is still
lagging behind in many spheres. Box-ticking agreements
may ultimately end up as a partnership without real benefi t.
References:
i Kommersant, October 02, 2018, at https://www.
kommersant.ru/doc/3758834
ii “Saint Petersburg Declaration by the Russian
Federation and the Republic of India: A vision for the 21st
century”, Press Information Bureau, Government of India,
June 01, 2017, at http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.
aspx?relid=163332
iii “No US lecture needed for India-Russia ties: Envoy”,
The Tribune, October 10, 2018, at https://www.tribuneindia.
com/news/nation/no-us-lecture-needed-for-india-russia-ties-
envoy/666154.html
iv Moskovskij Komsomolets, October 05, 2018, at https://
www.mk.ru/politics/2018/10/05/prodav-indii-s400-putin-
udaril-po-ssha-ekspert-o-kontrakte-veka.html
v “Russia, India to sign more than 20 document during
Putin’s visit to India”, TASS, October 02, 2018, at http://tass.
com/politics/1024010
vi Kremlin, October 05, 2018, at http://kremlin.ru/
supplement/5344
vii“India-Russia Joint Statement during visit of President
of Russia to India”, Indian Ministry of External Aff airs,
October 05, 2018, at https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.
htm?dtl/30469/IndiaRussia_Joint_Statement_during_visit_
of_President_of_Russia_to_India_October_05_2018
viii Ibid.
ix Anilesh S. Mahajan, “India defi es US sanctions on Iran,
eyes Chahbahar port and route to Afghanistan”, Business
Today, October 08, 2018, at https://www.businesstoday.
in/current/economy-politics/india-defies-us-sanctions-
continues-oil-trade-with-iran/story/284300.html
x “Press Statement by Prime Minister during the Visit of
President of Russia to India”, Indian Ministry of External
Affairs, October 05, 2018, at https://www.mea.gov.in/
Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/30471/Press+Statement+by+
Prime+Minister+during+the+Visit+of+President+of+Ru
ssia+to+India
* The author is a research fellow at the Institute of
Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences; and a Visiting
Fellow associated with IDSA's Europe and Eurasia centre.
His research theme revolves around the interplay inside the
U.S.-India-Russia triangle with focus on the issues of regional
cooperation and security.
First published on the website of the Institute for Defence
Studies and Analyses.
42 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 10 • Oct-Nov 2018, Noida