India and Russia Strengthen Ties Amid Global Pressures

Strategic Insights -

India and Russia have demonstrated their close relationship in the face of mounting American pressure on India to discontinue buying oil from Russia. The two leaders, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, walked hand in hand at the SCO summit in China, and later traveled together in Putin's luxury sedan to the venue for their bilateral meeting. In their talks, Modi strongly backed ties with Russia, emphasizing the importance of close cooperation for global peace, stability, and prosperity. Putin stated that their bilateral ties, based on trust and friendship, will continue to grow.

Key Takeaways:

  • India and Russia have maintained special relations for decades, with a strong foundation of trust and friendship.
  • The two leaders, Modi and Putin, demonstrated their strong ties by walking hand in hand at the SCO summit and traveling together in Putin's luxury sedan.
  • Modi emphasized the importance of close cooperation between India and Russia for global peace, stability, and prosperity.
  • Putin stated that their bilateral ties will continue to actively develop, with a focus on trade and economic ties, which are seeing "positive momentum".
  • The two countries will closely coordinate efforts on global forums like UN, Brics, G20, and SCO.
  • India refused to endorse China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), becoming the only country in SCO not to support the project.
  • India joined other SCO members to condemn the military strikes by Israel and US on Iran in June, which marks a change in India's stance.
  • Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called PM Modi ahead of the meeting to emphasize the need for an immediate ceasefire.
  • The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in economic, financial, and energy sectors, expressing satisfaction with the sustained growth in bilateral ties.
  • Modi reiterated his support for recent initiatives to address the conflict in Ukraine and emphasized the need to expedite a cessation of the conflict.
  • The scope of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries was seen in the 140 crore Indians eagerly waiting to welcome Putin for the 23rd annual summit in December.

Statistics:

  • 10 years: The duration for which a new development bank within the SCO has been in the works.
  • 8: The number of SCO members who backed China's Belt and Road Initiative.
  • 23: The number of the annual summit between India and Russia.
  • 140 crore: The number of Indians waiting to welcome Putin for the 23rd annual summit.
  • 25%: The additional tariff imposed by the Trump administration on India for its procurement of crude from Russia.

Sources:

  • "PM Narendra Modi tells President Vladimir Putin 140 crore Indians are waiting to welcome him for SCO summit in December" - Times of India
  • "India refuses to endorse China's Belt and Road Initiative at SCO summit" - Times of India
  • "Putin blames Western countries for Ukraine coup, says Russia's security under threat" - Times of India
  • "Plane carrying European Commission Prez Ursula von der Leyen hit by GPS jamming over Bulgaria in suspected Russian operation" - Times of India