Relevance : GS Paper II
U.S.-China conflict could challenge the existing balance of power.
Avoiding hostage to China
- Neither Russia nor India is interested in becoming hostage to China’s regional ambitions.
- India is concerned about Russia growing more dependent on Beijing,.
- Russia wants to avoid possible rifts in China-Indian relations.
More fruitful cooperation between India and Russia
- Bilateral trade is projected to touch $30 billion by 2025.
- Russia’s oil giant, Rosneft, has invested $12.9 billion in India..
- Russia is to invest in major energy and transportation projects in India
- Russia continues to serve as the largest arms supplier.
- Both countries have signed a $5-billion S-400 air-defence system.
- More deals are under way, including Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 fighters.
- Moscow played a key role in facilitating India’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
- S.-India relations do not seem to be having a serious impact on Russia.
The China factor
- India- China relation is perceived as fragile and Moscow’s balancing role seen to be in high demand.
- Although Russia acknowledges its augmenting dependence on China, it also envisions potential threats to the current balance of power.
- India also acknowledges Moscow’s growing dependence on Beijing that has accelerated amid the Kremlin’s never-ending melee with the West.
