INDIA: BALANCING GIANTS ON THE WORLD STAGE

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to India, which was primarily associated with the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, was exceedingly important and challenging for India in the current global scenario.

- SUDHIR S. RAVAL

The meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was crucial not only for the bilateral relations between India and Russia but also in the context of India’s reciprocal bilateral, trilateral, and quadrilateral relationships with three major powers: the United States, Russia, and China.In short, the outcome of this visit can be described as India’s foreign policy displaying its true mettle at a right time. Its significance is manifold, especially since India’s restraint and soft approach in foreign policy matters were being tested against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's changed attitude towards India, his use of threatening language, whimsical policies, and overt attempts at pressure.

BILATERAL COOPERATION ACROSS KEY SECTORS:

Typically, the evaluation of a meeting between the heads of two nations is centered around the agreements signed between them. This time, no major agreements were signed between India and Russia, but in the changing global geopolitical landscape, this visit has proven to be very important for the economic and security interests of both countries.

The agreements between the two nations encompass crucial areas related to both countries’ needs: defense and strategic cooperation, trade targets, energy security and nuclear cooperation, and mutual people-to-people cooperation.