Russia and India’s Growing Maritime Cooperation

India has been one of the countries to import the highest amount of defense industry products from Russia since the Soviet Union era. This dependency relationship formed during the Cold War continues to influence India’s defense, security, and foreign policy choices today. In an effort to reduce its dependence on Moscow in the defense sector, New Delhi has focused on strengthening its domestic defense industry in recent years and has also sought more military-technical assistance from Western actors such as France and the United States. Nevertheless, as of 2022, Russia remains the top supplier of weapons to India, holding the first position with a 45% share. [1] It is known that India is particularly dependent on Russia for nuclear submarines.

It can be said that this historical cooperation in the defense sector has expanded into areas such as the Arctic Ocean, the Northern Sea Route, the Caspian Sea, and the Indian Ocean today. For instance, there are discussions about the implementation of a new maritime trade route between India and Russia. [2] In this context, India aims to collaborate with Russia in the development of the Northern Sea Route, extending from the Pacific to the Arctic. [3] Following the first high-level meeting between Indian and Russian officials in March of this year, the parties met again in Vladivostok in October to discuss deepening cooperation in Arctic maritime transportation and related economic activities. Mr. Sonowal, the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways of India, and Mr. Alexey Chekunkov, the Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, deliberated on comprehensive cooperation in Arctic shipping between the two countries. One of the main topics of discussion was the development and utilization of the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), which connects the eastern coasts of India to the Russian Far East.

Within the scope of this cooperation, maritime voyages have been carried out for the first time between India’s Chennai Port and Russia’s Vladivostok Port after many years. According to Oleg N. Avdeev, the Consul General of Russia in Chennai, this maritime journey took only 17 days for a round trip. Currently, the maritime journey between Indian ports and St. Petersburg via the Suez Canal takes 35-40 days. Russian diplomat Avdeev stated, “We are in an advanced stage of realizing the Chennai-Vladivostok sea route.” [4]

In addition to this maritime cooperation, it has been announced that India will build 24 cargo ships for Russia. [5] Within this framework, it is reported that India has entered into an agreement to build 24 river-sea class cargo ships for Russia by the year 2027. Russia has sought assistance from India to support its struggling shipbuilding industry. Moscow has faced numerous economic sanctions from the West due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, causing a significant blow to the country’s shipbuilding sector. This situation has compelled Russia to establish partnerships with other shipbuilding nations to keep up with ship orders.

The collaboration-partnership process between the two countries also continues within the context of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which passes over the Caspian Sea. One of the primary objectives of this route is to connect Russia and India via the Caspian Sea and Iran. Russia had previously detailed plans to build container ships suitable for the route. In this regard, India’s support to Russia could make a significant contribution to reviving this trade route. Russian ship manufacturers planning to collaborate with India hope to almost halve their costs through this partnership.

It is expected that the maritime collaborations mentioned earlier will now also extend to the Indian Ocean. For instance, a news article dated November 30, 2023, from Voice of America used the headline “Russia Increasing Its Presence in the Indian Ocean.” [6] Russia, after a fifty-year period, sent warships to Bangladesh and conducted naval exercises with the Myanmar Army in the Andaman Sea for the first time. Analysts suggest that India does not oppose Russia’s expanding presence in these seas. [7]

However, India is increasingly cooperating with the Quad Security Dialogue (QUAD) partners, namely the United States, Japan, and Australia, in these seas. According to Praveen Donthi, Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group, “India wants Russia to play a more active role in the Indo-Pacific because it aligns with New Delhi’s goal of a multipolar global order.” [8] In late November, Russia conducted two days of naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal with India with the aim of “strengthening maritime cooperation.” Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, made the following assessment on the matter: [9]

“While India’s welcoming of foreign military forces in its close waters may seem peculiar, India will not view the Russian naval presence with the same concern as that of China’s. On the contrary, India likely sees Russia’s presence as a potential counterbalance to China’s naval power in the region.”

In conclusion, India is inclined to collaborate with Russia to counterbalance China in the nearby seas. On the other hand, Russia seeks to enhance its presence in different regions of the world, such as Asia, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean, to support its claim of being a global power. This effort is aimed at shifting its struggle with the West towards other geographical areas. In this context, the appearance of Russian warships in the Indian Ocean could be interpreted as a “new challenge” presented by Moscow in the great power game. The Indian Ocean has become the main stage for the major power competition between the United States and China. Moscow will exert maximum effort not to stay out of this equation. It should be noted that Russia is not seeking approval from India and China to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Spot:

• India is open to collaborate with Russia to counterbalance China in the nearby seas.

[1] “Trends in International-Arms Transfers, 2022”, SIPRI, https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/2303_at_fact_sheet_2022_v2.pdf, (Access date: 01.12.2023).

[2] “India-Russia New Sea Trade Route Plan in Final Stages of Clearances”, Business-Standard, https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/india-russia-new-sea-trade-route-plan-in-final-stages-of-clearances-123110500594_1.html, (Access date: 01.12.2023). 

[3] “India Looking to Cooperate with Russia on Development of Arctic Northern Sea Route”, High North News, https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/india-looking-cooperate-russia-development-arctic-northern-sea-route, (Erişim Tarihi: 01.12.2023). 

[4] Aynı yer.

[5] “India to Build 24 Cargo Ships for Russia”, Maritime-Executive, https://maritime-executive.com/article/india-to-build-24-cargo-ships-for-russia, (Access date: 01.12.2023). 

[6] “Russia Steps Up Presence in Indian Ocean”, VOA News, https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-steps-up-presence-in-indian-ocean-/7378276.htm, (Access date: 01.12.2023).

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.