History of India’s relationship with Russia
India and Russia's diplomatic relations date back to April 1947, shortly before India gained independence. At that time, India was focused on achieving economic self-sufficiency, and the Soviet Union became a vital partner in developing India’s heavy industries, including mining, energy, and steel production. India's economic planning drew inspiration from the Soviet Union’s five-year plans.
A strong historical affinity toward Russia exists in India, particularly among older policy elites, due to Soviet support during critical moments. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union backed India, notably in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, when the US and China supported Pakistan. This period marked the height of Indo-Soviet relations, culminating in a treaty of friendship and cooperation.
Earlier, the Soviet Union had also played a key role in mediating peace during the 1965 India-Pakistan war. The Tashkent summit in 1966 resulted in a peace agreement. Furthermore, between 1957 and 1971, the USSR used its UN Security Council veto several times in India’s favor, often concerning Kashmir and India’s military intervention in Goa. Visits to Moscow by Indian prime ministers were customary during this period.
Post-Cold War Relations
The India-Russia relationship has persisted beyond the Cold War era, characterized by annual summits since 2000 and the establishment of a strategic partnership, upgraded in 2010. Joint foreign and defense ministerial meetings, or “2+2” dialogues, began in 2021. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has described the India-Russia partnership as a constant in global politics for over 50 years.
Current Relations
India continues to view Russia as a critical strategic partner for both practical and ideological reasons:
1. Energy Cooperation: India has become a major importer of discounted Russian crude oil, which accounted for over 40% of its imports by mid-2024, up from less than 2% before the Ukraine war. Indian companies have also benefited from exporting refined Russian oil products to Western markets. Nuclear energy cooperation remains significant, rooted in historical ties. When India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, the Soviet Union maintained cooperation, unlike the US. Russia has also navigated India’s civil nuclear liability law effectively, recently upgrading an agreement to build six nuclear power plants in Tamil Nadu.
2. Defense Collaboration: Over 50% of India’s military equipment comes from Russia. India remains the largest recipient of Russian arms, including systems like the S-400 missile defense system. Joint ventures, such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, have extended to exports, beginning with the Philippines. Russia’s willingness to offer affordable arms and sensitive technologies without restrictions solidifies its role as a preferred supplier.
3. Trade and Connectivity: Both nations aim to boost bilateral trade from $68 billion to $100 billion by the decade’s end. Key connectivity initiatives include the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
Regular interactions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin underscore the relationship, with 17 meetings in the last decade and ongoing annual summits since 2000, barring exceptions following the Ukraine invasion.
India’s Position on Russia’s War in Ukraine
India’s stance on the Ukraine conflict is nuanced. While India has not condemned Russia's actions, it has expressed displeasure over the war. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that this is "not an era of war" and voiced sorrow over civilian casualties, such as the bombing of a children’s hospital in July 2024. During his visit to Ukraine in August 2024, Modi clarified that India supports peace but stopped short of condemning Russia.
India’s actions reflect a largely neutral stance. It abstained from UN resolutions criticizing Russia, declined to endorse a peace conference joint communique in Switzerland, and omitted mentions of Russia’s actions in the G20 leaders’ declaration under its presidency.
India's approach balances its strategic ties with Russia while maintaining a broader policy of non-alignment, prioritizing national interests over taking sides.
