Indo Russia Geometry

07 Jun Indo Russia Geometry

(GS PAPER-2, DIPLOMACY
SOURCE- THE HINDU)

Context-

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was in New Delhi on a two-day visit to India and held delegation level talks with his Indian counterpart.

Background:

Relations with Russia are a key pillar of India’s foreign policy, and Russia has been a longstanding time-tested partner of India.
Both countries signed “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000.
Traditionally, the Indo-Russian strategic partnership has been built on five major components: politics, defence, civil nuclear energy, anti-terrorism co-operation and space.

Why Russia is Important for India?

• The historical character of the bilateral relationship.
• Even as India is diversifying its defense trade partners, Russia still dominates the Indian defense inventory to the tune of about 70 per cent.
• Russia remains the only partner that is still willing to give India critical technologies, such as a nuclear submarine.
• The emerging Russia-China strategic relationship has important security consequences for India.
• Russia also reaffirmed its “unwavering support” to India for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.
• Russia expressed its support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
• Both countries have mutual benefits in supporting struggle against terrorism, Afghanistan, climate change; organisations like SCO, BRICS, G-20 and ASEAN..

Economic ties:

• Russia-India trade has not grown to great heights despite the encouragement of both states.
• Russia sees India – one of the fastest growing economies in the world – as a country that could alleviate Russia’s economic problems.
  Make in India initiative has welcomed Russian companies from the public and private sectors.
• Russian firms have shown a willingness to invest in India in construction, major infrastructure projects such as dedicated freight corridors and industrial clusters, smart cities, and engineering services, sharing technologies and skills.
• Indian companies are exploring major investment options in Russia, especially in natural resources such as coal, fertilizers, hydrocarbons, minerals, and rare earth metals.
• Trade and investment relations are not up to the mark and this needs improvements.

Energy ties:

• The Russia-India investments in the oil and gas sector and exports to third countries need to be energised.
• Russia is an important partner in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and it recognizes India as a country with advanced nuclear technology with an impeccable non-proliferation record.
• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built in India with Russian cooperation.

Political ties:

• New Delhi needs Moscow’s support in the former’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
• The Russians have backed the Indian position on Kashmir.
• India and Russia are engaged in several multilateral efforts that are greatly favoured by Russia such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• Annual Summit meeting is the highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism under the Strategic Partnership

Issues of terrorism:

• Counterterrorism is another area where both countries find a convergence of interest.
• Both countries strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, stressing the need for an effective global effort in dealing with the terrorist menace.
• They also called for the elimination, once and for all, of all terrorist “safe havens,” presumably referring to Pakistan.
• India and Russia also share concerns about the aggravation of the security situation in Afghanistan, including along its borders.
• India openly shared Russia’s concerns over developments in Syria.
• India’s stance on Syria will certainly help cement its ties with Russia countering the earlier feeling that India was not coming forward to support Russia in difficult times.

Cultural Cooperation:

• There is a strong tradition of Indian studies in Russia.
• Apart from Hindi, languages such as Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Urdu, Sanskrit and Pali are taught in Russian Institutions.
• There is general interest among Russian people in Indian dance, music, yoga and ayurveda.
• There are regular cultural initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts between India and Russia

Way Forward:

• India-Russian relationship is passing through an interesting phase.
• There are bilateral challenges that need to be overcome.
• The defense deals and nuclear energy cooperation should keep the India-Russia relationship afloat.
• India has to rebuild on its strengths and common concerns with the Russians.
• Need to focus on increasing trade and investment ties between India and Russia.
• India must attract Russian investors to tap the vast opportunities in India’s infrastructure space.

-Khyati Khare

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