Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist October 2019 | Page 19

SPECIAL REPORT
India, Russia to step up Defence Cooperation
Dr. Preeti D. Das*
T
he most distinctive feature of India - Russia
relationship is the shared trust between the
two nations, which is based on a deep-rooted
cultural connect and mutual respect for each other.
This sentiment has found itself refl ected in the age-
old phrase Hindi-Rusi Bhai-Bhai, used to describe
the link between these two countries ever since an
independent India exhibited a deep-seated inclination
towards the USSR. During the early 90s, both the
countries found themselves in the face of challenges
with India in the midst of an economic crisis and
the USSR faced with the trauma of disintegration.
The two nations dealt with their problems with an
open mind where India decided to embrace the
liberalisation of its economy and the opening up
of foreign investment while Russia dealt with its
disintegration by restructuring its defence industries
and took up the onerous task of restoring economic
stability by exploring available opportunities and
strategic partnerships.
The nature of defence relations between India
and the USSR over the years has not followed a
linear line and has been witnessing too many a
turnarounds. During the early years, this relationship
was characterised by the sale of military aircraft and
engines like Ilyushin Il-14 transport aircraft, Mi-4
Helicopter and jet engines for India’s indigenous
HF-24. Along with military equipment, the USSR
also provided training in the handling of the
sophisticated equipment received. This alliance,
however, suff ered a setback and signs of a visible
straining of relations became evident due to a
change in India’s “geo-political outlook” from the
late 80s onwards, where it was trying to diversify
its defence procurement policy, upgrading military
technologies, diversification of equipment and
military engagements with other countries. Some
of the reasons that pushed India towards this
policy were the irregular supply of spare parts and
dissatisfaction over Russia’s ability to manipulate
the Indian military and the Russians adopting a more
pro-West approach.
The fi rst decade of the millennium, however,
witnessed another change in Russia’s military-
technical cooperation and realignment with traditional
partners owing to Primakov’s ‘near-abroad’ policy,
which helped preserve the longstanding relationship
with India. The period between 2002 and 2004
witnessed the deliveries of military aircraft and
heavy fi ghters such as SU-27/30, SU-30MKI and
the renewal of contracts to modernise Kilo class
submarines. This was also a phase of diverse
military-technical cooperation between the two
countries, making India one of the largest importers
of Russian arms in the year 2012.
However, during the first term of the Modi
government, there was a slump in Indian arms
import during the years 2014 – 18, as most of the
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 10 • October 2019, Noida • 19