Strengthening Russia-China Ties Challenge India’s Strategy

Context

The 43rd meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing highlights their growing anti-Western strategic convergence.

Evolution of Russia-China Ties

• Boosting Ties: Since 2000, Putin has boosted ties with China while exploring relations with the West.
  • A rising China in the 2000s developed strong ties with Russia while maintaining special relations with the US and Europe.
• Strategic partnership: Putin and Xi have deepened their bilateral collaboration into a comprehensive strategic partnership.
  • On the eve of his invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Putin proclaimed an “alliance without limits” with China.

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Implications of Strengthening Russia-China Ties for World

• Western Observers’ Miscalculations: Western observers doubted close Russia-China collaboration due to their competing regional interests.
  • Putin and Xi have put divergences aside to build an axis challenging the West.
• Significance of Latest Summit: It emphasized their political coordination and support on Ukraine and Taiwan.
• Defying USA: Putin and Xi denounced US interventions and coalitions like the Quadrilateral Forum (involving India, Australia, Japan, and the US).
• • Xi openly defied Washington’s pressure to limit cooperation with Russia.

Implications of Strengthening Russia-China Ties for India

• China’s Dominance Over Russia: Moscow is more dependent on Beijing, especially after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
  • China’s senior partnership with Russia undermines India’s effort to build a ‘multipolar Asia’.
• Revisiting India’s Assumptions: Delhi and Western chancelleries hoped Moscow and Beijing wouldn’t collaborate closely. 
  • The time has come for Delhi to reexamine its assumptions about Russia.
• Adjust Great Power Relations: The expansive agenda of Putin and Xi demands that Delhi recalibrate its great power relations.
  • India needs to compensate to blunt the negative consequences of the Sino-Russian entente.

Conclusion

India need to reassess its Russia strategy, as Putin’s alignment with Xi jeopardizes India’s multipolar Asia ambitions and heightens security concerns with China.