- People in the know would concur that Russia has been India’s long-standing geostrategic partner, especially concerning military ties between the two countries. Again, people keen on following anything related to the military would know that most of the country’s fighting capabilities are supported by Russian hardware, technology, and equipment. It would not be an understatement whilst mentioning that the Indian Air Force’s majority fleet of fighter aircraft is of Russian origin. Hence, the criticality of ensuring spares, supplies, and technical exchanges is extremely sensitive and inevitable for war preparedness or unforeseen eventualities.
PC: Agency Report
- As such, maintaining a cordial bilateral relationship with Russia is absolutely essential. Of course, the world is witnessing geostrategic shifts what with the rising adventurism and aggressiveness displayed by China altering the global world order beyond recognition. Needless to mention, India has been in an almost war-like situation along the eastern line of actual control for more than a year now. This was brought about by China’s overtly ambitious expansionist strategies without a care about the global consequences. Exceedingly comfortable economic heft allows China to cross written/unwritten boundaries even if it riles other countries. Remember, checking such an alarming trend is of utmost importance.
- Thus, the formation of the Quad is the direct result of building pressure on the Dragon Nation. However, it appears that India is under some pressure from the US to take a clear stand on the Ukraine crisis. Hitherto New Delhi has rightly maintained a fine balance, sticking to its stated position in the UN that called for defusing tensions over Ukraine through dialogue. As mentioned above, India cannot ignore its historical bilateral ties with Russia and the deep defense linkages between the two sides. As such, what to make of America’s implied argument that India views the Russia-Ukraine matter the same way it views China’s expansionist designs in Asia.
PC: Livemint
- Mind you, there is obviously a qualitative difference between the two issues for India. China is an immediate threat for us but Ukraine isn’t. Understand, what is at play is geopolitical realities and strategic calculus with prerogative resting with us to prioritize moves. Note that America had little time for India’s position on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism when Islamabad was an American strategic priority. Also, China today presents the biggest systemic threat to the international rules-based order, and Russia simply doesn’t post the same challenges. True, Moscow and Beijing today have a strategic and economic compact which was inevitable given the fast-evolving situation globally.
- Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean there aren’t points of bilateral tension. Note that from their own border issues and China eyeing Russia’s Far East region for energy resources to Beijing’s increasing influence in Central Asia, traditionally Moscow’s strategic domain, several fault lines remain beneath the surface. Needless to mention, the US should tactically consider creating space between Russia and China, nullifying their combined threat. Pragmatically speaking, at the end of the day, principles alone don’t make for strategic choices, aligning interests do. You see, India and US interests align on China. Hence, our position in Ukraine is par for the course move indeed.
