'Ten'acious ties

The significance of Putin's 10th visit to India exceeds previous trips

- SANJIB KR BARUAH

SINCE HE FIRST became president of Russia in the summer of 2000, Vladimir Putin has visited India nine times. But his 10th visit—December 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit—is his first after the conflict with Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. This visit exceeds past ones in terms of significance and impact in view of the strategic and military implications. Its scope has now expanded and new alignments have shaped up, contributing in a big way to the ongoing global geopolitical churn.

First, it is all about the optics, positioning and building a narrative. India shares a 'special and privileged strategic partnership' with Russia and a 'comprehensive global strategic partnership' with the US. Putin's visit is an attempt to see in what ways the relationship with India is further enhanced.

India and Russia have traditionally enjoyed warm ties—the military collaboration being the high point. Even as India is trying to diversify the sourcing of weapons and is on a path of atmanirbharta in military production, at least 60 per cent of its weaponry—from fighter aircraft and naval platforms to artillery guns and small arms—continue to be of Russian origin. Of course, Russia's slide in the Indian arms market has been made up by the US, France and Israel.