India's relations with Russia over the two decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union have alternated between indifference and neglect, on the one hand, and active cooperation and intense friendship, on the other. Both states of the relationship have sprung from the kind of situation Indian and Russian policymakers have found themselves in at different times. Broadly speaking, New Delhi and Moscow have both tended to calibrate the bilateral thermostat with an eye on the temperature in Washington. When the U.S. tries to cosy up to either power, India and Russia are quite happy to take for granted, if not forget, each other. But when Washington's mien is frosty and unhelpful, comfort is sought in the warmth of druzhba. However, the U.S. attitude towards the two is not always symmetric. The George W. Bush years, for example, saw a deterioration in America's relations with Russia over issues like missile defence and the expansion of Nato, even as U.S. engagement with India scaled new strategic heights. Although India's relations with Russia remained on an even keel, the Manmohan Singh government did not accord Moscow the kind of priority it deserved. Indeed, with the Bush administration using the nuclear deal to push for gains across a broad spectrum of areas, especially military procurement, India's relations with Russia came under a bit of strain.
The coming to power of Barack Obama in the U.S. has restored some sense of balance to Indian foreign policy, with the government scrambling to revive old friendships in the face of Washington's changed policies towards the region, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is the geopolitical context for India's rediscovery of Russia. Though the Russian side today lacks the same narrow motivation for embracing India more tightly — after all, Mr. Obama has tried to repair relations with Moscow — Vladimir Putin, a strong leader with a clear strategic vision, realises it is important for Russia to expand the ambit of its cooperation with India. On Afghanistan, both share the same anxieties about U.S. indulgence towards the Pakistani military and the proposal to integrate a ‘reformed' Taliban leadership in the power structures at Kabul. On the nuclear energy and defence fronts, Russia has stood the test of time as a valued friend and partner, supplying India with attractively priced advanced equipment without preconditions at a time when other countries have a long list of collateral demands. To be sure, a lot more needs to be done to add ballast to the relationship, especially on the trade and business-to-business fronts. But it is essential that the current period of intense engagement not be allowed to falter once the U.S. makes some fresh overture to India.
Correction
A sentence in the first paragraph was "But when Washington's mien is frosty and unhelpful, comfort is sought in the warmth of druzhba, leading to a query. Druzhba, literally translated from Slavic languages, means 'friendship'. The root of the word is "drug" - meaning "friend, dear one" and as in "drug/a-friend", "druzya-dearest", "druzba - friendship" or in the southern Slavic "drag."
Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, India, Vladimir Putin, U.S., Manmohan Singh
Comments:
Our policies have been a quite opportunistic. But Russia seems to have better understanding of this relationship.
In the USSR days the then superpower had a huge armaments industry spread over the union. But after the break-up of the USSR, the present day Russia is left with less industrial infrastructure than in the past. Because of this it is finding it dufficult to honour commitments on delivery as India found out in the case of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov and other military hardware. Moreover in the absence the private sector in the armaments industry, there is no competition and the price paid is what is demanded less perhaps some token reduction. Hence huge Indian purchases of military hardware ought to be a matter of concern. In spite of the much-trumpeted Indo-Russian friendship, India had to agree to huge price escalation in the case of the modified old aircraft carrier referred to earlier. Moreover India had to take delivery of the aircrafts to be operated from the aircraft carrier, the delivery of which has been delayed. The contracts for building several nuclear power plants expands India's business exposure to Russia, in an environment of strict itrenational regulation to perhaps imprudent levels. Let us not celebrate just yet Indo-Russian friendship in such an exuberant manner as the editorial does.
It's obviously a matter of concern for India that, we always been treated as market either for technology products or arm/ammunition. We never had been partners for development of any technological product with Russia other than BrahMos missile. Gone are the days of cold war and superpowers, now we need to contemplate our position vis-à-vis US and Russia as partners in developments of IT/Communication/Agriculture/Defence system. That will lead to technological enhancement of Indian professionals and other side will gain with vast & cheap but talented workforce.
We were not doing anything to make strong relations with Rusia, which has been our true friend We need to take care of balanced forgein policy.
India & Russia should rework their statergies in terms of economy, education and in energy front. Our leaders should think Russia as the most valued partner not only in defense and energy sector but also for IT, Telecom sector, minerals, gold, fishery etc. We lack true presence in Russia. We must actively involve ourselves, pomote businees opportunities and make India a trusted side for Russia at all times. We could have done much more and had a better relation with Russia when they were in difficult time. That would have ensured we are trusted partners. We should understand the geopolitical balance required to overcome all difficulties like poverty, energy , climate control. We should join along with Russia and China to overcome this and make counter balance to EU + USA team.
Russia is India's all whether friend and both are laying foundation for new strategic partnership in terms of arms and nuclear energy,hydrocarbons and also launching the joint political statement on terrorism against Pakistan. This happens because of overtures of Obama administration towards Pakistan and making him important regional player in south Asia to stablise Afghanistan by negotiating with what US called moderate Taliban. As the relation are blooming again and both countries need to nourish it by escalating their business ties and leave no room for trust deficit.
India wants friendship with both equally especially in commercial matters. It is heartening that India takes busines above politics. America is slowly losing clout in business mainly because of the faster spread of global communication. So far most of the countries were watertight compartments. No more now. High technology was the speciality of America, but even countries like India can send man on the moon and can design intricate softwares. The balance of friendship will further change in coming years with increasing globalization.