The Trajectory of India- Russia Relationship

Introduction

Though India's relationship with the Soviet Union was formalised in 1947, we cannot undermine the relationship between various Indian and Russian political leaders and the impact of communism propagated by the Russians. Bhagat Singh is believed to have been a follower of Vladimir Lenin, and even M.N. Roy, the founder of the Communist Party of India, founded the Communist Party of India in 1925 in Tashkent, then a part of Soviet Turkestan. Mahatma Gandhi is believed to have exchanged letters with Leo Tolstoy, who shared similar ideological views. Thus, it can be rightly said that India's relationship with Russia predates the formal establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Post-Independence: 1947 and Ahead

The Soviet Union formally established diplomatic relations with the Indian government on 13th April 1947, even before India's independence. Gradually, the relationship strengthened as the Soviets supported India in developing heavy industries, defence, and energy. USSR President Nikita Khrushchev also visited India in 1955, marking a historic visit.

During the early stages of the Cold War, the Indian government decided not to align with either of the two powers, the USSR or the United States. Instead, India became a founding member of the Non-Alignment Movement. At this time, the two great powers were increasing their spheres of influence around the world by forming strong alliances with other countries.

During this period, the United States, along with 11 other allies, signed the Washington Treaty to create the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). In response, the Soviets, along with seven other countries, signed the Warsaw Pact in Poland. The world was figuratively divided into two blocs, while India, along with other NAM countries, tried to de-escalate existing tensions by maintaining cordial relations with both powers.

The Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty: 1970s

Tensions were simmering between the two South Asian neighbours in the early 1970s. The excesses and brutality committed by the West Pakistani establishment on their own East Pakistani people had created a rebellion led by the Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The brutality and human rights infringements caused massive migration into the northeastern states of India, which was a major concern for the Indian government. It is essential to understand the geopolitical scenario of the subcontinent to comprehend India's actions.

The United States, under President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, sided with Pakistan, which was led by General Yahya Khan.

Despite reports of human rights abuses in East Pakistan, the US continued to supply military and economic aid to the oppressive Pakistani state. This support was likely influenced by the fact that Pakistan was a member of US-led military alliances such as SEATO and CENTO. It was during this period that the Indian government decided to counter the US-Pakistan alliance by signing a friendship treaty with the USSR, known as the 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation. It was signed mainly due to strategic and security concerns arising from tensions in East Pakistan and the evolving Cold War dynamics. This treaty implicitly provided strategic protection to India, and the USSR offered full diplomatic support to India, especially in the United Nations Security Council.

The treaty was to remain in force for 20 years, with automatic five-year renewals unless either side chose to terminate it. This treaty was instrumental in deterring other powers like China and the US from intervening in the war. When the US sent its 7th Fleet to the Bay of Bengal, the USSR responded by deploying a group of ships from its Pacific fleet.

During the war, the US and its allies tried to pass anti-India resolutions at the UNSC, which were invariably thwarted by the Soviet use of its veto power. Eventually, with Soviet support, India won the war, and East Pakistan became the independent nation of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971. Over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered in Dhaka, the largest military surrender since World War II.

Later Cold War Era: 1980s

The 1971 Treaty of Friendship deepened military, diplomatic, and economic cooperation. The Soviet Union became India's biggest defence supplier. It strengthened the Indian Air Force with fleets of MiG aircraft. The Soviets also invested heavily in building key infrastructure such as the Bhilai Steel Plant, heavy machine tools factories, and nuclear reactors.

The USSR consistently used its veto power to block resolutions against India, especially on Kashmir. The foundation laid during the early 1970s was only strengthened during the Cold War era.

Post-Soviet Transitions (1991 to Early 2000s)

In December 1991, the USSR dissolved, and Russia emerged as its legal successor state. With the disintegration of the USSR, various questions arose concerning the newly formed Russian state. India was one of the first countries to recognize Russia as the successor state, and diplomatic ties continued without strain.

At this time, Russia faced political instability, economic collapse, and increasing Western influence, while India was going through economic liberalization. The disintegration of the USSR posed many new challenges for India. Defence cooperation stalled between the two countries due to delays in the delivery of spare parts and equipment and the exponential rise in prices of Russian military goods. There was also considerable confusion over old Indo-Soviet agreements.

Gradually, the relationship was rebuilt. As Russia stabilized in the mid-1990s, both nations began to revive their traditional partnership. In 1993, the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation was signed. This was the first major agreement between India and post-Soviet Russia, reaffirming political, economic, and military cooperation based on shared interests.

Another agreement, the Military-Technical Cooperation Agreement, was signed in 1994, renewing India's access to the latest Russian defence technology. It also laid the groundwork for joint military projects and long-term military supply deals.

Since the 2000s: Strategic Revival and Growth

In the year 2000, both parties signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership during President Vladimir Putin's visit to India. This marked the revival of the Indo-Russia relationship after the collapse of the USSR. It focused on sectors such as defence cooperation, nuclear energy, space exploration, and anti-terrorism collaboration.

In 2001, India and Russia began co-developing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. It became a symbol of trust and high-level technological cooperation. This missile is currently operational across all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces.

Since 2004, nuclear and energy cooperation has received a boost. Russia built the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu. Many agreements for the long-term supply of nuclear fuel were signed, deepening cooperation in the oil, gas, and civil nuclear sectors. In 2006, India became one of the founding members of BRIC following a meeting of the foreign ministers of the BRIC nations. The first full summit was held in 2009, and South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS, an international grouping of five major emerging economies. There have been further additions to this grouping in recent years.

In 2016, India signed a $5.43 billion deal to acquire S-400 Triumf missile systems from Russia. It is still considered one of the most advanced air defence systems in the world. This was also a brave move because India went ahead despite US opposition under the CAATSA law, signalling strategic independence.

2017–Present: Expanding Multilateral and Economic Engagement

India and Russia have collaborated in multilateral organisations like SCO and BRICS, strengthening cooperation in cybersecurity, Arctic exploration, and advanced defence platforms.

In 2021, both countries launched the India-Russia 2+2 dialogue involving the defence and foreign ministers of both countries. India has this format only with close strategic allies like the US, Japan, and Australia.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia claimed it was aiming to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, while Ukraine saw it as an unprovoked act of aggression. India remained neutral, advocating peace and dialogue. It continued importing discounted Russian oil, prioritising national interest. Russia remains India's largest defence supplier, although India is diversifying.

There has been continued cooperation in joint defence production, such as AK-203 rifles and BrahMos upgrades.

Way Ahead: Strengthening Strategic Economy and Cooperation

India should diversify its economic ties with Russia, moving beyond defence and energy to sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, and infrastructure (e.g., the International North-South Transport Corridor—INSTC). There should also be a transformation of the trade balance between the countries, as current trade favours Russia due to oil imports. India should boost its exports and explore the rupee-ruble payment mechanism.

India is also required to balance its ties with Russia and the West, especially the US, amid global polarisation. It should uphold its non-aligned and multi-faceted foreign policy to avoid dependence on any single power bloc.

Conclusion

The India-Russia relationship remains robust but must adapt to changing global realities. By widening cooperation, addressing imbalances, and staying strategically autonomous, both nations can preserve and strengthen their historic partnership in the 21st century.

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