Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov announced that preparations are being made for Modi’s visit to Moscow, with dates to be announced soon.[1] Modi’s visit to Russia might be considered a major milestone for New Delhi’s foreign policy.
Modi’s upcoming visit to Russia is significant since it will be his first visit since the Russia-Ukraine war. Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022 at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Uzbekistan, where he told Putin, “This is not an era of war.”
New Delhi has consistently abstained from UN votes condemning Russia and has refrained from openly criticizing Moskow’s war in Ukraine. Therefore, Modi’s efforts to improve strategic relations with Russia might pave the way for more backlash from the West. Facing an image crisis after losing votes in the last election, the Modi administration seems to opt to strengthen ties with Moscow to enhance its influence and standing on the international stage.
India-Russia relations have been of strategic importance since the Cold War era. Modi’s upcoming visit underlines taking this relationship a step further. Specifically, enhanced cooperation in defense, energy, and space might lead to adverse reactions and pressures from the Western actors and the US.
In spite of the repeated sanctions of Western countries on Moskow, the military-defense relations between New Delhi and Russia continue to remain strong. As a part of the upcoming visit, an overview of current defense agreements and a discussion on new projects and joint productions are expected to be addressed. In addition, energy cooperation and strengthened economic ties may provoke Western criticism. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, India has increased its purchases of discounted Russian crude oil, which has provided significant support to Moskow in the face of global isolation. Consequently, during Modi’s upcoming visit, increasing cooperation in the energy sector and assessing investment opportunities are expected to be discussed. Hence, expanding trade and economic relations might also be addressed.
Regional and global issues might be discussed during this visit. Specifically, strategic topics such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Israel-Palestine, as well as efforts to strengthen cooperation at the UN and other international platforms, may be discussed.
India pursues a multilateral approach in its foreign policy and seeks to manage its relations with Russia according to this approach. Modi’s visit aims to increase India’s diversified relations with global players in this sense. These interactions may strengthen India’s strategic autonomy in its foreign policy and help it pursue an alternative vision globally and regionally.
During these discussions, a new military cooperation and a logistic agreement are expected to be signed. The new draft proposal developed by Russia includes joint military formations deployment of warships and fighter jets. This deployment might enhance the operational capabilities of both countries.[2] This signifies a new dimension in this strategic relationship between two nations, underlining a deeper defense tie and mutual trust. The joint deployment initiative is unprecedented for India, which has been reluctant to make such agreements outside UN peacekeeping operations. Indian armed forces engage in exercises and maintain defense cooperation with more than two dozen countries, yet they have avoided such joint deployment agreements.
The proposed logistic support agreement is similar to the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) that India signed with the US in 2016. These agreements allow countries to use each other’s naval and military forces for refueling, repairs, and supplies. India has also signed agreements with France, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea.
The potential logistic agreement with Russia might ease India’s accession to the Arctic region. Global warming paved the way for new maritime routes and strategic opportunities, and India seeks to establish itself in this crucial area. Therefore, accessing Russian military facilities in the Arctic would significantly enhance India’s strategic position and extend its operational capabilities.[3]
In conclusion, Russia and India are vital nations that take similar or aligned actions on the international stage. For instance, they might collaborate in multilateral organizations such as the UN to defend their common interests. They have the potential to work together on regional matters. For instance, both nations have an interest in Afghanistan and Central Asia. Both sides are in favor of multilateral diplomacy in the international area. In this sense, Russia and India may collaborate on global concerns such as climate change or pursue joint scientific and technological projects. The future of India-Russia relations tends to have deepened ties in strategic, economic, and diplomatic areas. By taking steps to strengthen their shared interests, both nations have the opportunity to enhance their cooperation.
[1] “India’s Modi to visit Moscow soon, Russian state media says”, CNN, https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/26/india/india-modi-visit-russia-putin-intl-hnk/index.html, (Date of Accession: 26.06.2024).
[2] “India-Russia relations: New military cooperation and logistics agreement”, Financial Express, https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-india-russia-relations-new-military-cooperation-and-logistics-agreement-3534647/, (Date of Accession: 26.06.2024).
[3] İbid.
