Under Donald Trump’s second presidential term, the relations between Russia and India have undergone a major test as New Delhi is increasingly pressured by Washington to take sides in the Russia-West rivalry and lessen its dependence on the import of Russian oil. The goal is to weaken Moscow’s military might, which, as seen by the United States, is buttressed with Indian money.
Though tactically, India might concede to the United States on some points, in the longer run, Washington’s pressure is unlikely to drive a wedge between Russia and India. Instead, a continuation of traditionally close cooperation in the military as well as economic spheres is expected. As ardent adherents of the pursuit of multi-aligned foreign policy, Moscow and New Delhi will push for maintaining freedom of maneuver in foreign relations. Both will avoid making brusque moves, which otherwise would imply them siding against each other. Strategic autonomy will remain at the core of their relations, backed up by the belief in the need to work toward a multipolar world order, regarded by Moscow and New Delhi as a more just version of the global system.
Read the full article on TRENDS Research and Advisory.
Emil Avdaliani is a Research Fellow at the Turan Research Center.