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\t\t\t46<\/i><\/p>\n
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being keenly watched by his Western allies as he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on his first foreign trip since he returned to office for a third term in June.<\/p>\n
Mr. Modi landed on Monday, just hours after Russian bombing killed at least 41 people in Ukraine, including at a children\u2019s hospital in Kyiv, sparking a global outcry.<\/p>\n
Photos from Moscow showed a beaming Mr. Modi hugging the Russian president. A video of a smiling Mr. Putin calling Mr. Modi \u201cmy dearest friend\u201d and telling him that he was \u201cdelighted to see him\u201d has gone viral in India.<\/p>\n
Mr. Modi\u2019s two-day visit \u2013 his first to the Kremlin since 2019 \u2013 coincides with a NATO summit in Washington, where the 2022 invasion will be a major theme.<\/p>\n
India, a key global economy, has close ties with both Russia and the US, and its partners and officials in Delhi are playing down questions over the timing of Mr. Modi\u2019s trip. They say the annual summit is part of a long-standing strategic partnership, and its scheduling has nothing to do with the NATO summit.<\/p>\n
But a sour note has been struck with the US expressing concern. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller urged Mr. Modi to emphasize Ukraine\u2019s territorial integrity during his talks in Moscow.<\/p>\n
Mr. Miller also said the US had raised concerns with India regarding its relationship with Russia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would urge India, as we do any country when it engages with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine needs to be one that respects the UN charter, that respects Ukraine\u2019s territorial integrity, Ukraine\u2019s sovereignty,\u201d he said at a press briefing on Monday.<\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelensky went further \u2013 and did not mince his words.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world\u2019s largest democracy hug the world\u2019s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day,\u201d he posted on X (formerly Twitter) late on Monday.<\/p>\n
The NATO summit in Washington, which begins on Tuesday, is being held to mark the 75th anniversary of the Western defense grouping, which was mainly formed as a bulwark against the then Soviet Union after World War Two.<\/p>\n
NATO countries have been vehemently opposed to Moscow\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, while India and Mr. Modi have refrained from any explicit criticism of President Putin, except calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict.<\/p>\n
As Western nations try to isolate Moscow by imposing sanctions, President Putin has been having summit-level meetings with leaders of key nations like China, India, Turkey, and others.<\/p>\n
Some are now asking whether Mr. Modi\u2019s presence in Moscow could be to Mr. Putin\u2019s advantage. Is the message India is sending out playing into the hands of Russia?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bilateral visit this time is just a scheduling priority that we have undertaken. And that\u2019s what it is,\u201d Vinay Kwatra, permanent secretary to the Indian foreign ministry, told the BBC ahead of Mr. Modi\u2019s visit, rejecting any connection between the two events.<\/p>\n
Historical Ties and Strategic Importance<\/h2>\n
India and Russia share close defense and strategic relations from Cold War days, and Moscow remains a key supplier of weapons. India, which maintains one of the largest militaries in the world, has long-standing border disputes with its neighbors Pakistan and China.<\/p>\n
Experts say Mr. Modi giving importance to Moscow is not a surprise, and the relationship goes beyond defense procurement.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at the historical trend, it [Moscow] has been one of the constants in Indian foreign policy,\u201d Pankaj Saran, former Indian ambassador to Moscow, stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main pillars of the relationship include defense cooperation, energy, and science technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the years, Russia has provided technical assistance to build several nuclear power plants in India.<\/p>\n
Since the Ukraine war began, Delhi has also been buying billions of dollars of discounted oil from Moscow after Western nations imposed sanctions on Russia to limit what it could sell or charge for the product.<\/p>\n
Driven by a surge in the purchase of oil, bilateral trade between India and Russia in the last few years has soared to $65bn (\u00a350.76bn). India\u2019s exports to Russia stand at just $4bn.<\/p>\n
Indian officials say a key priority for Mr. Modi will be to address this trade imbalance and encourage Russian investment in India as well as moving some defense production to India.<\/p>\n
For the past 20 years, the West, particularly the US, has cultivated closer ties with India in what many see as a bulwark against the threat posed by an increasingly assertive China.<\/p>\n
India also became a member of the Quad \u2013 a strategic forum with the US, Australia, and Japan \u2013 which is seen as a grouping aimed at countering Chinese influence in the Asia Pacific.<\/p>\n
But faced with increasing Western hostility, President Putin has developed closer strategic and economic ties with Beijing. The development has not gone unnoticed in India, China\u2019s long-time rival.<\/p>\n
A deadly brawl on the disputed border in the Ladakh region in June 2020 killed 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers and escalated tensions.<\/p>\n
There are apprehensions in India that it may be left out of the Moscow-Beijing equation.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne option currently being exercised by Delhi is to keep the Russia channel open to maintain the friendship and avoid taking any measures which may further aggravate Russia\u2019s drift into Chinese arms that is being caused by US and Western policies,\u201d says Mr. Saran.<\/p>\n
Though Delhi has diversified its weapons inventory in recent decades by buying American, French, and Israeli arms systems, it still relies heavily on Moscow, and there have been concerns the war in Ukraine has had an impact on its defense exports.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are reports of delays in the supplies of some spare parts and the delivery of the remaining S-400 anti-missile defense system. So, there will definitely be some discussion on this during the visit,\u201d says Anil Trigunayat, a former ambassador and now a Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation in Delhi.<\/p>\n
Delhi and Moscow are not without their own differences. There have been several reported cases of Indian nationals who were lured with false promises of lucrative job offers and ended up fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine. Four Indians have died so far in the fighting.<\/p>\n
Indian officials insist that during this visit, Mr. Modi will press his Russian counterparts for an early discharge of Indians \u2013 thought to number in the dozens \u2013 still fighting in the war.<\/p>\n
India is aware that it needs both the United States and Russia to counter its rival China. Hence, it feels the need to strike a balance not to offend either of the two.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndia follows a policy of strategic autonomy and multi-alignments. We have strategic relationships with both the US and Russia. These are mutually exclusive partnerships,\u201d says Mr. Trigunayat.<\/p>\n
The balancing act that Mr. Modi is attempting is reflective of India\u2019s broader foreign policy strategy. Maintaining a delicate equilibrium between competing global powers has long been a hallmark of India\u2019s diplomatic efforts. This approach allows India to maximize its strategic interests without being overly dependent on any single country.<\/p>\n
Energy and Economic Cooperation<\/h2>\n
Beyond defense, energy cooperation remains a crucial aspect of India-Russia relations. India, with its growing energy needs, has consistently sought to deepen its engagement with Russia\u2019s vast energy resources. This visit is expected to further solidify this partnership, with potential agreements on long-term energy supply and investments in the energy sector.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Mr. Modi\u2019s visit aims to address the trade imbalance between the two nations. India is keen on encouraging more Russian investments in various sectors, including technology, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure. By diversifying economic engagement, India hopes to create a more balanced and sustainable trade relationship with Russia.<\/p>\n
Mr. Modi\u2019s visit to Moscow is not just about bilateral relations; it has significant geopolitical implications. As the global order becomes increasingly multipolar, India\u2019s role as a major player in international politics is being closely watched. How India navigates its relationships with Russia and the West will have a lasting impact on its global standing.<\/p>\n
The visit comes at a time when the world is witnessing a realignment of international alliances. The traditional US-led Western bloc is facing challenges from emerging powers like China and Russia, who are seeking to assert their influence on the global stage. India\u2019s strategic autonomy allows it to engage with all major powers while safeguarding its national interests.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s visit to Moscow is a testament to the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia. Despite the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape, India\u2019s approach of maintaining balanced relationships with global powers remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy.<\/p>\n
As Mr. Modi engages in talks with President Putin, the world will be watching closely to see how India navigates this challenging diplomatic terrain. The outcomes of this visit will not only shape India-Russia relations but also have broader implications for global geopolitics.<\/p>\n
India\u2019s balancing act, maintaining strong ties with both Russia and the West, underscores its role as a key player in the evolving international order. The decisions made during this visit will reflect India\u2019s strategic priorities and its commitment to a multipolar world where it can exercise strategic autonomy and continue to play a pivotal role on the global stage.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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