Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India at a time when western sanctions are biting the Russian economy shows that Moscow is slowly turning into a calculating business partner (“ >For a warmer Russian bear hug ,” Dec.10). India should try to gain the maximum possible from Russia’s isolation, just as China did by signing the $400- billion gas deal. India needs to move in a balanced way. New Delhi needs to make it clear to Russia that it has to cooperate with India in the fields of defence, space, nuclear energy and science and technology transfers.
Yogesh Devgun,
Patiala
It may be true that Russia is no longer a priority partner for India, but India’s relationship with Russia still matters a great deal. The two countries have converging interests in a variety of fields. Russia continues to remain India’s most important foreign supplier of military equipment. This is the perfect time to sign a long-term energy deal with Russia as it is passing through a bad phase due to economic sanctions and falling crude oil prices.
Rajendra Singh,
Koba, Gujarat
