Relevance : GS Paper II
Introduction
PM Modi is to visit Vladivostok, Russia.
Special importance of Vladivostok
When the U.S. and British Navies tried to threaten Indian security during the India-Pakistan war in 1971, the Soviet Union dispatched nuclear-armed flotilla from Vladivostok in support of India.
The Far East of Russia
- The Far East lies is less developed than the country’s European areas.
- Putin is inviting foreign countries to invest in this region.
Russia’s outreach to Asia
- Russian outreach to Asian nations gained momentum after Crimea crisis spoiled its relations with the West.
- At the same time, the idea of an ‘Indo-Pacific region’has also left Russia concerned.
- Russia is apprehensive that it could lose India, a friendly country and one of the biggest buyers of Russian military hardware.
India-Russia relations improving
- India has maintained that Indo-Pacific is not targeted against any country.
- Two countries are now working for a multipolar Indo-Pacific.
- India has convinced Russia that its engagement with S. is not against Russian interests.
- Russia also doesn’t want China to become a hegemon and is hence deepening cooperation with countries like India.
- Indian States are being encouraged to develop relations with Russia.
India and the Far East
- Russia simplified electronic visas for India to encourage tourism in the Far East.
- India will also provide an annual grant of $10,000 to fund the study of Indology at Far Eastern Federal University.
- Far East lacks manpower. Thus, Indian professionals can help in the region’s development.
- India, one of the largest importers of timber, can find ample resources in the region.
- The two countries are also looking at the feasibility of Chennai-Vladivostok sea route.
- The Far East has the potential to become an anchor in deepening India-Russia cooperation.
- India has expanded the scope of its ‘Act East policy’ to include Russia and Far East can play important role.
Conclusion
India and Russia should increase their areas of cooperation and trade in order to hedge against disruptive forces and make their ties sustainable.
