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India-Russia ties: Case for dynamism

Author:Arun Srivastava

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Russian President Vladimir Putin holding their annual bilateral Russian-Indian summit on October 15-16, preponing the December
meet, in Goa, coinciding with the BRICS Summit has not at all come as a surprise, what indeed has been intriguing is willingness of India to enter into a major defence deal with
Russia. This is the third annual summit of Modi with Putin.
Even after two years of the declaration of 'Druzhba-Dosti, A Vision for Strengthening the Indian-Russian Partnership over the Next Decade, is yet to acquire a concrete
character and momentum. In the joint statement issued during the visit of Russian President to India in December 2014, for the 15th Annual Summit between the two countries,
both Modi and Putin had agreed on a vision for strengthening the India-Russia partnership over the next decade. Recognizing that the special and privileged strategic
partnership between India and Russia has been built on the strong foundation of mutual trust, bilateral understanding and unique people-to-people af nities, the leaders
emphasized that the time has come for a signi cant broad-basing of bilateral cooperation to carry the friendship between the countries to a qualitatively new level. The last
summit meeting was held in December 2015 in Moscow. But during the earlier meets, the element of eagerness was missing.
The annual summit meeting between Modi and Putin is the highest institutionalised dialogue mechanism under the strategic partnership between India and Russia. The two
leaders will talk about civil nuclear energy, defence, hydrocarbon sector, satellite navigation, visa simpli cation, and issues relating to banking. The deals that are to be signed
include purchase of S-400 air defense missile system, IL-78 multi-role tanker transport by India and the joint upgrading of the SU30MKI and Kamov 28. Naturally question
arises what made India to look towards Russia?
The primary motive behind entering into a defence deal worth millions of dollars with Russia, during the summit level meeting, has been to engage Russia. At this stage of global
politics, it is more imperative to have Russia on the right side than sacri cing the national interest for the sake of friendship. The way Russia has been expanding its reach in the
South East Asia has been a major cause of concern for the Western World. With Russia moving closer to China, it is essential and also in the interest of India that it should
strengthen its bond with Russia.
The Indian government ought to realize that Moscows support both in economy and defence elds has always been crucial for achieving strategic goals. Interestingly while
negotiations with other nuclear countries on nuclear energy cooperations are still hanging on, the second nuclear block built with Russias help has been completed recently. The
same is the case with the Make in India campaign. While other countries are still dithering, the Russia is already in action. Russia is the rst country to have agreed to take the
initiative under the Make in India umbrella in two key strategic sectors nuclear and defence. This move is perceived as Russian trust in Indias economy.
Russia will continue to be, a dependable partner of India in defence matters and energy security, despite the relationship with other countries developed by Russia or developed
by India. One thing is absolutely correct that a strong Indo-Russian relation would change the political equilibriums of Asian continent.. Since India has limited reserves of
natural gas, it would be a concrete opportunity to diversify its energy supply and a necessary provision in order to support economic growth and meet rising domestic demand of
energy resources. However energy collaboration could also involve Russian oil.
During the October summit of Modi and Putin the expansion of economic ties, investments and more participation in oil and gas exploration projects are expected to be at the
top of agenda. Possibility of Russia and companies participating in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor will also be part of the discussions. The volume of current bilateral trade
between the two countries is around $10 billion and both sides aim to take it to $30 billion over the next 10 years.
Russia, which has been Indias traditional defence partner, is believed to be chalking out an aggressive defence plan even as it is worried over the growing defence relationship
between India and US. American defence exports to India have grown to a staggering $13 billion. India and Russia are also expected to discuss the expansion of the civil nuclear
cooperation between them. During the Summit a number of agreements are expected to be signed between India and Russia for greater economic cooperation, especially in the
energy sector. Both are also likely to discuss the possibility of commencing talks for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Relations between India and Russia have been based on defence acquisition, hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, space cooperation, trade and commerce, science and technology,
culture and people to people ties. Unfortunately some elements of dissonance have appeared between the two countries over the last few years. But these primarily owed to
growing defence relationship between India and USA. India signing three ''foundational'' defence agreements with USA; Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), Communications
Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for Geo-spatial Cooperation, has been the cause
of serious concern for Russia.
Modi and Putin need to give much greater personal attention to building and strengthening the India-Russia partnership. This task cannot be delegated to Foreign Ministers or
Foreign Of ces. India should quickly conclude some high-ticket defence deals with Russia. Manufacturing KAMOV-226 helicopters in India, which was discussed during Modis
visit in December 2015, can be a game changer. (IPA)
Tuesday, 20 September, 2016

9/21/2016 7:46 PM