ABSTRACT
In order to assess the vitality of India’s strategic partnership with Russia some questions need to be asked. How important is India to Russia today and vice versa? Are there some enduring strategic reasons for a strong India–Russia relationship? Is our bilateral relationship expanding, contracting or stagnant? In what areas is there untapped potential? What are the obstacles to imparting a new dynamism to the relationship? Is it a question of political will or are there systemic problems? Does the traditional intensive defence procurement relationship between India and Russia need review because of product support problems faced by our armed forces? Should we reduce our dependence? Can one maintain a high-quality bilateral relationship with Russia without a strong economic relationship? Is there scope for a strong energy relationship between India and Russia, given our needs as an energy deficit country and Russia’s enormous oil and gas resources? In what way can we exploit our good relationship with Russia to advance our interests in Central Asia? How far can Russia help us in ensuring that Afghanistan does not fall within the strategic grip of Pakistan? How can our common interest be advanced in combating religious extremism and terrorism as long-term threats to the security of both countries? Do US–Russia tensions give us more margin for manoeuvre on the international scene? Does Russian push for a multipolar world serve our interests? Is a stronger Russia–China relationship a problem for us? Is the Russian push for a trilateral India–Russia–China relationship or cooperation at the level of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries conducive to our larger foreign policy interests?
