India and Russia Have a Steady, Time-Tested Partnership: MEA

August 5, 2025

General Studies Paper -2

Context

Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) lauded the ties between India and Russia, saying that the two nations have a ‘steady and time-tested partnership’.

About the India-Russia Relation

India and Russia share a relationship that is often described as ‘time-tested, steady, and strategically privileged’.
This partnership continues to be a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy, rooted in history and evolving through changing global dynamics.

Historical Background & Evolution

Early Diplomatic Ties: Diplomatic relations between India and the Soviet Union were formally established on April 13, 1947, even before India gained independence.
The USSR supported India’s industrial and scientific development during its formative years, contributing to sectors like steel, energy, and education.
Cold War Era: During the Cold War, India and the USSR shared a strong strategic relationship, marked by:
- Political alignment on non-alignment and anti-colonialism.
- Military cooperation, including arms supplies and joint exercises.
- Cultural exchanges and educational collaboration.
- Signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation in 1971, backing India during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Post-Soviet Transition:
- 1991: After the dissolution of the USSR, India quickly recognized the Russian Federation as its successor.
- 1993: A new Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed.
- 1994: A bilateral Military-Technical Cooperation Agreement was established.
- Strategic Partnership Era:
- 2000: India and Russia signed the Declaration on Strategic Partnership, elevating ties to a new level.
- 2010: The relationship was further upgraded to a ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’, reflecting deeper cooperation across defence, energy, space, and trade.
Institutional Mechanisms:
- Regular Annual Summits between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Russia.
- Creation of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC) with two key divisions:
IRIGC-TEC: Trade, Economy, Science & Technology, Culture.
IRIGC-M&MTC: Military and Technical Cooperation.
- 2+2 Dialogue launched in 2021, involving Foreign and Defence Ministers.
Contemporary Relations:
- India and Russia continue to collaborate on global platforms like BRICS, SCO, G20, and the United Nations.
- Russia remains a key defence supplier to India, and both nations support a multipolar world order.
- In 2024, Prime Minister Modi was awarded Russia’s highest state honor, the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, for his contributions to bilateral ties.

Present: Strategic Depth Amid Global Shifts

Defence and Security: Russia remains India’s largest defense supplier, despite diversification efforts.
- Joint projects include BrahMos Missiles, S-400 air defense systems, and nuclear submarines.
- According to SIPRI’s recent data, Russia remains a key supplier of military equipment to India.
- Russia supplied 36% of India’s arms imports in 2020-2024, a drop from 55% in 2015-2019 and 72% in 2010-2014.
Energy and Trade: India’s import of Russian crude oil surged to over 43% of total imports in mid-2025.
- Bilateral trade reached $68.7 billion in FY 2024–25, with a target of $100 billion by 2030. (22nd Annual Summit, July 2024).
Space & Scientific Collaboration: ISRO and Roscosmos jointly trained Indian astronauts for Gaganyaan.
- India’s first satellite Aryabhata (1975) was launched by the USSR.
Connectivity Initiatives:
- International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): Multimodal route connecting Mumbai to St. Petersburg via Iran and Central Asia
- Aims to cut cargo time by 40%
- Chabahar-Russia Integration: Enhancing logistics between Central Asia and India.

Emerging Issues

Defence Supply Disruptions: Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted deliveries of critical defence equipment and spare parts.
- Delays in contracts for MiG-29s, Sukhoi fighter jets, and Igla-S missiles have raised concerns about India’s operational readiness.
Energy Trade and Western Pressure: The U.S. has responded with 25% tariffs and proposed a bill for 500% penalties on countries trading with Russia.
- India maintains that its energy decisions are price-driven and sovereign.
Strategic Autonomy vs. Global Expectations: India’s neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict has drawn criticism from Western allies.
- The US has raised concerns about India’s engagement with Russia, urging respect for the UN Charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
- India insists its foreign policy is non-aligned and interest-based, not dictated by third-party pressures.
Trade Imbalance and Payment Mechanisms: India faces a one-sided trade imbalance, importing far more from Russia than it exports.
- Payment issues persist due to sanctions on Russian banks and complications in using third currencies.
- Efforts are underway to settle trade in national currencies and diversify trade baskets.
Russia-China Nexus and Geopolitical Tensions: Russia’s growing closeness with China, especially in forums like the US-China-Russia Troika, has raised concern in India.
- India’s participation in QUAD and AUKUS dialogues has occasionally clashed with Russian strategic interests.
- Balancing ties with both Moscow and Washington remains a delicate diplomatic act.

Way Forward: Expanding India-Russia Relations

Multilateral Cooperation: India and Russia collaborate on platforms like BRICS, SCO, G20, and the United Nations.
- Russia’s BRICS chairmanship in 2024 and India’s G20 presidency in 2023 have strengthened coordination.
Economic and Regional Initiatives: Plans to build an ‘Energy Bridge’ and expand cooperation in nuclear, hydrocarbon, and renewable energy.
- India is opening new consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg, signaling deeper regional engagement.
- Joint ventures in Arctic exploration, infrastructure, and technology are on the horizon.
Strategic Autonomy: India maintains that its foreign policy is independent and interest-driven, not dictated by third-party pressures.