Context: This article is based on an Editorial “Old and strong: On India-Russia ties” which was published in the Hindu.  On a five-day visit to Russia, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outlined that India-Russia relations are “constant” amid several geo-political conflicts over a period of time.

EAM’S Jaishankar 5-Day-Visit to Russia: Significance to India-Russia Relations

• Timing of  Visit: A five-day visit would seem unusually long, particularly as the Russian leadership normally does not see high-level foreign visits at all right before its holiday season. 
• Uncommon Presidential Engagement: Normally, Russian President meets at Head of State level with its counterparts while meeting a visiting Indian foreign minister is an exception.
• Signal to West: In the wake of the U.S. President’s decision to skip the Republic Day parade and growing tensions over the Pannun investigation, India aims to send a clear message to the West that it won’t be taken for granted.

Recent Concerns Amid India-Russia Relations

• Lack of Supply: Russia has been unable to supply critical defense supplies (S-400 Triumf Missiles System) to India amid the Ukraine War.
• Payment Concerns: India has been asking to continue trade in rupee for its purchase of crude oil from Russia amid western sanctions for use of dollars with Russia.
  • But, Russia finds this option unlucrative due to the lesser utility of rupee for it.
• Skipping of Annual Summits: Since the Russia-Ukraine war, the Indian PM has not met in person on annual summits to balance its ties with the West.
  • India has assured that next annual summit edition will be chaired by the Primeminister.

India-Russia Collaboration

• Both Countries agrred  to advance collaboration in:
  • Future Kudankulam nuclear power projects, 
  • Fostering connectivity, trade and resuming talks for the Eurasian Economic Union-India free trade agreement, 
  • Joint military production
• Multilateral Cooperation: India and Russia continue to coordinate positions at the UN, SCO and BRICS. 

Also Read: India-Russia Trade Relations