Strategic Symmetry: What Russia and India Stand to Gain from Putin’s Visit to New Delhi.

writes Dr Prasanta Kumar Padhi

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s journey to India is a re-invigorated step toward a relationship transcending geopolitical transformations covering decades and, more notably, international relations transformations within the present, more relative context. As each country finds itself interlaced in an uncertain global arena, the meeting in New Delhi was not only a political nicety but a confirmation of extensive realignment of need, intention and peacemaking potency.

From the Russian perspective, this trip is a necessary means of checking in with one of its last truly reliable partners outside of its borders. With markets down in the West thanks to sanctions, India is one of the last few significant economies set to invest in oil, trade and defense endeavors. If Russia can assure India’s market of guaranteed oil shipments with no strings cut through the Kremlin’s actions, it will maintain such market for years to come. Furthermore, Russia seeks to also export fertilisers and industrial products – products which benefit the Russian operation economically but also play to India’s domestic needs.

From a political perspective, the trip is a means of Moscow getting out of the insulated existence of international condemnation it currently finds itself. Putting on a happy face in New Delhi makes it seem as if Russia has a relevant place in international affairs and allows Putin to portray otherwise – at least from the Asian perspective. Thus, bolstering continued cooperation with India serves as a hedge for Russia as China is also a present heavyweight in the region; it’s nice for Russia to have another regionally trusted partner should anything go wrong with China.

Yet India stands to benefit just as much. From India’s perspective, a consistent trend and priority have revolved around energy demand – specifically, cheap energy demand. Russia plays to relative lenience with supply and consistently cheap discounted oil shipments between 2021 and 2022 have given India the economic pause it needs – and the promise of uninterrupted assistance only provides reliability when international patterns take a turn.

Furthermore, trade remains a strong focus. India wants to reduce its trade deficit with Russia now more than ever as an explosion of opportunities exists with pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, textiles and machinery. Agreements solidified at this latest summit predict a stable future for long-term economic blueprints and effective banking and logistical minutiae.

Defense cooperation also remains an important element of the two nations’ relationship. However, India makes it clear that it does not want to repeat history. Instead of simple weapons shipments, India seeks co-production, technology transfer and military systems development – an option which caters to India’s request for a successful military-industrial complex on its soil while still benefitting from Russian developments.

At the international level, the trip allows India to reassert its international strategic autonomy. Indian foreign policy hinges on consistent cooperation with the US, Europe, Russia, and the Global South. Working with Russia on its terms helps to establish Indian self-interest so that India does not have to rely too heavily on any one partner while simultaneously giving credit to India for playing the international game independently.

There are certainly risks involved. For one, India must avoid being painted by the sanctions brush through establishing too many connections with Russian enterprises – even as Indian companies work on bilateral efforts with Western enterprises. For Russia’s part, it must maintain its relationship with China does not overstep bounds with India’s concerns.

But this latest visit took a step in the right direction for both nations looking not to preserve a historical legacy between them but instead modern-day approaches to politically sound relations moving forward. If such a sentiment can be institutionalised through agreements rendered at this summit, then going forward should make sense through a more resilient diversified, reciprocal approach.