By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Navigating Geopolitical Tensions Amid Strengthening Ties
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being closely watched by his Western allies as he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This visit marks Modi’s first foreign trip since he returned to office for a third term in June.
Modi arrived on Monday, shortly after Russian bombing killed at least 41 people in Ukraine, including at a children's hospital in Kyiv, causing global outrage. Photos from Moscow showed Modi warmly embracing the Russian president. A video of Putin calling Modi "my dearest friend" has gone viral in India.
Modi's two day visit, his first to the Kremlin since 2019, coincides with a NATO summit in Washington, where the 2022 invasion will be a major theme. India, a key global economy, maintains close ties with both Russia and the US. Officials in Delhi are downplaying the timing of Modi's trip, asserting that the annual summit is part of a long standing strategic partnership and has no connection to the NATO summit.
However, the US has expressed concern. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller urged Modi to emphasize Ukraine's territorial integrity during his talks in Moscow. Miller stated that the US had raised concerns with India regarding its relationship with Russia and urged India to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine must respect the UN charter, Ukraine's territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his disappointment, calling Modi’s meeting with Putin "a devastating blow to peace efforts." Modi told President Putin that India was ready to offer assistance in establishing peace in Ukraine. He emphasized that war was "not a solution" and expressed pain over the loss of innocent lives, especially children, in the conflict.
The NATO summit in Washington marks the 75th anniversary of the Western defense grouping, formed mainly as a bulwark against the Soviet Union after World War Two. NATO countries vehemently oppose Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, while India and Modi have refrained from explicit criticism of Putin, instead calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict.
As Western nations impose sanctions on Moscow, Putin has been meeting with leaders of key nations like China, India, and Turkey. Some speculate whether Modi's presence in Moscow benefits Putin, suggesting India might inadvertently support Russia’s stance.
Vinay Kwatra, permanent secretary to the Indian foreign ministry, rejected any connection between Modi’s visit and the NATO summit, stating it was merely a scheduling priority. India and Russia share close defense and strategic relations from Cold War days, with Moscow remaining a key weapons supplier. Modi's focus on Moscow is not surprising, given the historical trend of strong India Russia relations encompassing defense cooperation, energy, and science technology.
Since the Ukraine war began, India has been buying billions of dollars of discounted oil from Moscow. This has surged bilateral trade between India and Russia to $65 billion, though India's exports to Russia are just $4 billion. Modi aims to address this trade imbalance and encourage Russian investment in India, as well as move some defense production to India.
For the past 20 years, the West, particularly the US, has cultivated closer ties with India as a bulwark against an assertive China. India is a member of the Quad, a strategic forum with the US, Australia, and Japan, aimed at countering Chinese influence in the Asia Pacific region.
Faced with increasing Western hostility, Putin has developed closer ties with Beijing. This has not gone unnoticed in India, which has long standing rivalries with China. A deadly brawl on the disputed border in Ladakh in June 2020 killed 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers, escalating tensions.
India is wary of being excluded from the Moscow Beijing equation. Delhi seeks to maintain its friendship with Russia and avoid measures that might push Russia further into China's arms. While India has diversified its weapons inventory by buying American, French, and Israeli arms systems, it still relies heavily on Moscow. There have been concerns that the war in Ukraine has impacted Russia’s defense exports to India.
During this visit, Modi is expected to discuss delays in the supply of spare parts and the delivery of the remaining S 400 anti missile defense system. Delhi and Moscow also face differences, such as Indian nationals lured into fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Modi will press for an early discharge of these Indians.
India needs both the US and Russia to counter China. Therefore, it strives to strike a balance to avoid offending either. "India follows a policy of strategic autonomy and multi alignments. We have strategic relationships with both the US and Russia. These are mutually exclusive partnerships," says Anil Trigunayat, a former ambassador and Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation in Delhi.
