This year’s annual meeting between the leaders of Russia and India was confirmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow on Monday. As a testament to the value of the India-Russia alliance, the prime minister of India has made Russia his first option for a bilateral visit in his third term. He also broke with precedent by visiting nearby nations on the first stand-alone tour of a term. Another first is that this is the first meeting between Modi and Putin since the conflict in Ukraine. The 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. Before Russian President Vladimir Putin began “special operations” against Ukraine, in December 2021, there was a gathering in Delhi.
Only once since then have the two leaders met, in Uzbekistan for the SCO summit, where Mr. Modi said that this was not the “era of war.” Given the tensions surrounding the Labyrinthine Ocean, India is particularly concerned about Russia’s increasing reliance on China as a result of the war. There will be a chance to assess the state of the war in Ukraine in addition to the planned framework of discussions on bilateral matters (trade and energy connections, space collaboration for Gaganyaan, and declining but significant defence supplies). India has been concerned about the impact of Western sanctions on global security, in addition to the shortages of food, gasoline, and fertilisers, and the potential effects on weapons deliveries and spare parts from Russia.
Although there has been progress in the “Make in India” initiative (Russian assault weapons and the India-Russia BrahMos missile), discussions are still necessary over supply chain reliability and the payment issue. According to officials, another issue is New Delhi’s worry over Indians being recruited by the Russian army.
More than anything, considering the contrast with another meeting in Washington, Mr. Modi’s visit sends a geopolitical message. U.S. President Joseph Biden will greet NATO leaders on Tuesday in honour of the transatlantic alliance’s 75th anniversary.
The presence of Indo-Pacific leaders involved in the western sanctions and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to highlight Russia’s “isolation” through a show of force.
Attempting to strike a balance, Mr. Modi met Mr. Zelenskyy during the G-7 summit outreach in Italy last month and then sent an official delegation to the Peace Conference in Switzerland. By continuing to interact bilaterally and with Russia at organisations like the SCO, BRICS, and G-20, as well as by refusing to denounce the war in the UN and other multilateral forums, the government has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the long-standing ties with Russia that date back to the Soviet Union Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1971.
The focus during Mr. Modi’s visit will therefore be on how he advances the cause of “dialogue and diplomacy” and speeds up the resolution of the conflict that has split the world by utilising India’s unique multipolar, unaligned perch.
ABHISHEK VERMA
