Hug and Smiles Warm Historical India-Russia Ties

Russia recently confirmed that President Vladimir Putin will visit India soon. This visit will be Putin's first to India since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing Russia-India relations. Let's dig deeper to understand the history of strategic relations between India and Russia in the 20th and 21st century.

- TDG NETWORK

The strategic alliance between Russia (and its predecessor, the Soviet Union) and India is one of the longest-standing relationships in modern geopolitics. This multifaceted alliance has been shaped by historical, political, economic, and military cooperation, which has endured through changing global dynamics.

The relationship between India and Russia is rooted in the post-colonial era, marked by shared interests, mutual support in international forums, and collaboration in critical sectors like defense, energy, and space exploration. The following sections provide an overview of the strategic partnership between India and Russia, from its origins to the present day, highlighting key milestones, shifts in the global context, and the evolving nature of the alliance.

1. EARLY ENGAGEMENT (1947-1950s): ESTABLISHING THE FOUNDATION

India and the Soviet Union began their relationship soon after India gained independence in 1947. The USSR was one of the first major countries to recognize India's sovereignty, establishing diplomatic ties in 1947. Initially, the relationship was focused on political alignment, as both countries were pursuing a non-aligned foreign policy in the midst of the Cold War. India, led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, adopted a policy of non-alignment, which sought to avoid formal alignment with either the Western bloc (led by the United States) or the Eastern bloc (led by the Soviet Union).