Ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s significant visit to New Delhi, Russia has strategically laid out its willingness to deepen bilateral relations, placing the onus on India to reciprocate. Moscow has signaled readiness to elevate the partnership to unprecedented levels, contingent on India’s own aspirations.
This overture was articulated by Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson, during a recent press briefing. Peskov drew parallels between Russia’s robust partnership with China and its approach to India, stating that while cooperation with Beijing has transcended traditional boundaries, Moscow holds a similar stance with New Delhi. He emphasized that the extent of future cooperation would be dictated by India’s readiness to expand it.
“We are ready to expand cooperation beyond limits with China. Our approach with India is the same. As far as India is ready to go, we are prepared to go that far. If India expands cooperation, we are fully ready for it,” Peskov conveyed. He acknowledged the geopolitical pressures India faces due to its ongoing ties with Russia and underscored the mutual need to shield their bilateral trade and relationship from external interference.
President Putin himself had previously expressed a desire to elevate relations with both India and China to “new heights.” Geopolitical analysts interpret these coordinated statements as a calculated move by Russia to balance its increasing reliance on China by offering India a comparable strategic partnership. This could significantly alter the geopolitical landscape, influencing diplomacy, energy flows, and regional balances.
For India, accepting such an offer presents a complex dilemma. While the prospect of a deeper alliance with Russia is attractive, it must be weighed against potential repercussions from Western nations. India’s foreign policy has long championed strategic autonomy, navigating relationships with major powers without aligning with any single bloc. The nation needs robust ties with the United States for technological advancement and economic growth, while simultaneously depending on Russia for defense and energy supplies. This delicate balancing act is further complicated by a significant trade imbalance, with Indian exports to Russia being dwartly compared to its imports, primarily of discounted Russian oil.