ABSTRACT
Two states in the Asian region-one an emerging power, the other a former superpowerhave staked claims to be major actors in the Asia Pacific. In an era of globalization and increasing economic and military interdependence, it is no longer possible to make the artificial and arbitrary distinction between the ‘East Asian hemisphere’, and South Asia, Central Asia or Russian North Asia. Russia and India are major Asian powers and their international relations have had a major impact upon world politics for 60 years. Russia has long been an Asian, Pacific and European power, while India has developed into South Asia’s regional hegemon. In the post-Cold War era, both countries have become increasingly enmeshed in the political and institutional structures of the Asia Pacific; for example, Russia was a foundation signatory to the Shanghai Five agreement (1996), and entered the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 1998, while both Russia and India are members of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Moscow and New Delhi were long-standing partners throughout much of the Cold War, while Beijing and New Delhi have gravitated towards cautious détente in the last decade.
