Russia’s Growing Outreach in South Asia

Amid global upheaval, Russia is positioning itself as a stabilizing force and pragmatic partner across South Asia, says Baidya Bikash Basu

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RUSSIA is making concerted efforts to underscore its status as a global power, with increasing engagement across the Global South, including South Asia.

Trade, economic cooperation, and defence ties have marked its growing presence in the region. The outreach is part of Moscow's strategy to counterbalance the West's influence and forge new partnerships that reflect mutual interests without political conditionalities.

Moscow will host the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives on Security Issues from May 27-29, chaired by Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu. Representatives from 150 countries will attend this major forum addressing terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, and other global security threats. The 28th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (June 18-21) will follow, highlighting Russia's commitment to strengthening ties with the Global South. These events reflect Russia's increasing reliance on strategic diplomacy, rather than ideological alliances, to pursue its geopolitical objectives.

Russia's partnerships with South Asian countries reflect a strategic and largely non-coercive diplomatic approach:

Russia's Supreme Court recently delisted the Taliban as a terrorist group, paving the way for formal diplomatic ties. The Afghan diplomatic mission in Moscow will be upgraded to embassy level. Russian President's Special Representative Zamir Kabulov and Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov met Taliban leaders, emphasizing economic engagement. Talks included reconstruction of the Salang highway, infrastructure cooperation, and Russian investment in energy and water projects, such as dam construction and energy diversification.