By Col (Dr) P K Vasudeva
07 Jul , 2015
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India has served to reaffirm bilateral bonds between the two countries. Beyond the positive rhetoric – New Delhi assured Putin that Moscow will remain its foremost partner – a string of agreements in the energy, defence and economic sectors were signed which serve to arrest the downward slide in bilateral relations.Moscow is miffed at India’s growing proximity to the US and fears losing ground to Washington in India’s defence market although it accounts for 70 per cent of India’s defence purchases.
They unveiled a “Druzhba-Dosti” vision statement that will guide their engagement over the coming decade and pledged to triple trade in this period. Twenty agreements were signed, including one worth $10 billion that will provide India with Russian crude oil. The two sides are also eyeing an expansion of civilian nuclear energy cooperation; Russia will build a dozen more nuclear reactors in India over the next 20 years.
The aim of both countries is to increase trade from current $10 billion to $30 billion by 2025. That goal appears ambitious but is modest when compared to Sino-Indian trade, which stands at around $ 67 billion, or Indo-US trade – around $ 60 billion — or India’s trade with a small country like Switzerland which is about $ 31 billion.
It has agreed to assemble 400 twin-engine helicopters in India. Transfer of technology and local manufacture of components and spares is on the anvil. This will take forward India’s bid to indigenise production of military hardware and Modi’s ambitious programme of ‘Make in India’ campaign.
Moscow is miffed at India’s growing proximity to the US and fears losing ground to Washington in India’s defence market although it accounts for 70 per cent of India’s defence purchases. Delhi is also uneasy with Russia’s recent defence pact with Pakistan. It was amidst this atmosphere of suspicion that Putin’s visit took place. Hopefully, the two sides used the opportunity to clarify doubts and build up better relations as before 2013.
Russia vowed its support for Pakistan as Pakistan fight against the Taliban militants. In 2007, the relations between Pakistan and the Russian Federation were reactivated after the 3-day official visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. He was the first Russian prime minister to visit Pakistan in the post-Soviet-era in 38 years. He had “in-depth discussions” with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Russia was still holding talks with Pakistan on the supply of the combat helicopters, and had lifted its embargo on the arms supply to Pakistan.
The major focus of the visit was to improve bilateral relations with particular emphasis on ways and means to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. Under the Presidency of Asif Ali Zardazi and Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani, relations between Pakistan and Russia have improved significantly. In 2010, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia stated that Russia was against developing strategic and military ties with Pakistan because of Russia desire to place emphasis on strategic ties with India.
In 2011, Russia changed its policy and Putin publicly endorsed Pakistan bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and said that Pakistan was a very important partner in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia. Putin offered Russia’s assistance in expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills and provision of technical support for the Guddu and Muzaffargarh power plants and Russia was interested in developing the Thar Coal Project In 2011, Russia strongly condemned the NATO strike in Pakistan and the Russian foreign minister stated it is unacceptable to violate the sovereignty of a state, even when planning and carrying out counter-insurgent operations. In 2012, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced to pay a state visit to Pakistan soon after his re-election, later he cancelled it, citing other crucial engagement. To offset the diplomatic setback caused by this unexpected cancellation of much-anticipated visit, Putin’s sent his Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov.
In a press conference, the ambassador of Russia had agreed to sell the helicopters to Pakistan to assist the country with terrorism and the security related issues. Russia was still holding talks with Pakistan on the supply of the combat helicopters, and had lifted its embargo on the arms supply to Pakistan. “Such a decision has been taken. We are holding talks on supplying the helicopters,” head of state-owned Rostec, Sergei Chemezov said, adding that the negotiations were about Russian Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters.
Russia has long been the largest supplier of arms to India, which is the world’s top arms buyer. But Moscow’s move to supply Islamabad came as New Delhi is seeking to modernise its armed forces’ ageing hardware and has recently chosen to buy arms from Israel, France, Britain and the United States.
At a time when the US and the EU are seeking to isolate Russia on the Crimean question by crippling its economy through unilateral sanctions, Putin’s successful visit to India has riled the Americans…
The signing of the first defence deal between Russia and Pakistan on November 20 is of concern to India. The military agreement marks a significant shift in Russo-Pakistani relations. The agreement has been described in Pakistan as a “milestone” in Russia-Pakistan relations. For, during the cold war Pakistan joined two American military alliances and provided the US with bases from which to spy on the Soviet Union. Washington rewarded Pakistan with military and development aid — and the military largesse was used against India. Will Russian weapons for Pakistan have the same result is the greatest concern for India?
Some maturity is needed. Both countries Russia and India need to understand that the other can explore options with different partners. While deals go some way in assuaging apprehensions, depending on summits alone to tackle issues is not the best way to build a relationship.
Diplomats in the two countries should be defusing problems before they turn serious. The two sides need to discard the ‘benign neglect’ approach that defined their engagement over the past decade to adopt one that sees them nurturing the relationship on a regular basis. Only this can keep their time-tested friendship alive.
At a time when the US and the EU are seeking to isolate Russia on the Crimean question by crippling its economy through unilateral sanctions, Putin’s successful visit to India has riled the Americans, who are no doubt envious of the expanding India-Russia nuclear cooperation.
The US shrill disapproval of India doing business with Moscow is in poor taste. India and Russia are sovereign countries. Who they chose to engage, how and when is for them to determine and decide, not for the US to dictate. India needs to tell the Americans this clearly.
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