India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has reaffirmed the country’s deep commitment to its long-standing and resilient relationship with Russia, emphasizing that New Delhi “immensely values” these ties. Speaking via video address at the Russia-India Conference in Moscow, Jaishankar underscored the unwavering commitment of both nations to each other’s core interests, particularly in an era where global power dynamics are shifting towards a multipolar world.
The historical depth of the India-Russia relationship, built on mutual respect, trust, and strategic cooperation, remains one of the cornerstones of India’s foreign policy. Throughout geopolitical turbulence, including Western pressure on New Delhi to dilute its engagement with Moscow following the Ukraine conflict, India has remained steadfast in its approach. India’s independent foreign policy—rooted in strategic autonomy—continues to dictate its decisions, refusing to succumb to external coercion while maintaining a pragmatic balance between its various global partnerships.
The Significance of India-Russia Relations in the Multipolar World
Jaishankar’s statement comes at a time when the global order is experiencing significant realignments. The unipolar moment, dominated by Western-led institutions, has given way to an emerging multipolarity where regional powers, including India and Russia, assert greater influence. This reality necessitates stronger bilateral engagements that transcend traditional spheres of cooperation, leading to enhanced collaboration in emerging sectors such as technology, trade, space, agriculture, and regional security.
India and Russia, through their enduring partnership, are poised to play a defining role in shaping the global geopolitical landscape. As Western hegemony wanes, the Global South increasingly looks toward alternative centers of power, with India and Russia offering a model of partnership based on sovereignty, non-interference, and mutual benefit. The BRICS alliance—where both countries play key roles—exemplifies this shift, seeking to establish a new economic and political architecture that counters the excesses of Western dominance.
Expanding Economic and Trade Cooperation
One of the most striking aspects of the India-Russia relationship is its economic resilience. Despite Western sanctions on Russia, bilateral trade between Moscow and New Delhi has not only persisted but expanded significantly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin have set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.
Recent trends underscore the robust nature of economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Russia remains a crucial supplier of crude oil to India, helping the country meet its growing energy demands at competitive prices. This energy partnership is a key pillar of strategic collaboration, allowing India to diversify its energy sources while benefiting from stable and predictable supply chains.
Moreover, both nations are deepening trade in non-energy sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and technology. The push for local currency transactions in trade is another significant step toward de-dollarization, reducing dependency on Western financial systems and bolstering economic sovereignty. The establishment of new connectivity projects, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), further strengthens economic ties, providing alternative trade routes that bypass Western-controlled maritime chokepoints.
Defense and Strategic Cooperation: A Pillar of Bilateral Ties
India’s defense partnership with Russia remains a critical component of their bilateral relationship. Russia has long been India’s most reliable defense supplier, providing advanced military technology that has significantly enhanced India’s strategic capabilities. From the S-400 missile defense system to the BrahMos missile project, India-Russia defense cooperation continues to evolve with joint production initiatives and technology transfers that ensure India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Unlike Western arms suppliers, Russia has consistently provided India with cutting-edge technology without imposing restrictive end-user agreements. This flexibility allows India to integrate Russian defense systems with its indigenous capabilities, strengthening national security without external interference. The continued procurement of Russian arms demonstrates the trust that New Delhi places in Moscow as a dependable security partner.
Beyond defense sales, India and Russia are also increasing cooperation in defense exercises, counterterrorism strategies, and intelligence sharing. This collaboration extends to broader regional security concerns, including stability in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, where both nations seek to counter unilateral interventions by external powers.
The Role of India and Russia in Regional and Global Stability
India and Russia share a vision of a stable and balanced global order. Both nations have consistently opposed Western-imposed unilateral sanctions and have championed diplomatic dialogue as the primary means of conflict resolution. This approach has been evident in India’s balanced position on the Ukraine conflict, advocating for peace while maintaining strategic ties with Moscow. Unlike Western narratives that seek to isolate Russia, India’s position reflects its long-term commitment to multipolarity and its refusal to be drawn into bloc politics.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS serve as vital platforms where India and Russia collaborate to reshape global governance structures. These institutions promote alternative financial mechanisms, enhanced economic connectivity, and non-Western-led security frameworks that empower emerging economies. Russia’s push for BRICS expansion aligns with India’s broader geopolitical goals, ensuring that the developing world has a stronger voice in international affairs.
Cultural and Educational Cooperation: Strengthening Societal Bonds
Beyond political and economic ties, India and Russia share deep cultural and educational linkages. The popularity of Indian cinema in Russia and the reverence for Russian literature in India highlight the historical people-to-people connections that transcend governmental interactions. Academic exchanges, language programs, and university collaborations continue to bridge cultural understanding, fostering goodwill among future generations.
Russia remains a preferred destination for Indian students pursuing higher education in medicine, engineering, and science. Strengthening educational ties through scholarship programs and joint research initiatives further enhances the strategic partnership, ensuring long-term collaboration in scientific and technological advancements.
A Future-Ready Partnership
As the global order continues to evolve, India and Russia’s relationship stands as a beacon of stability and pragmatism. The commitment of both nations to a multipolar world ensures that their partnership will remain resilient amid geopolitical flux. Whether in economic engagements, defense cooperation, energy security, or diplomatic alignment, India and Russia exemplify a model of sovereign cooperation free from coercive pressures.
With President Putin set to visit India later this year for a bilateral summit, the trajectory of India-Russia relations appears stronger than ever. This meeting will further solidify cooperation in key strategic areas while sending a strong message to the world about the enduring nature of this partnership.
In a world increasingly characterized by geopolitical fragmentation, India and Russia’s unwavering commitment to each other represents a powerful counterbalance to Western hegemony. As multipolarity takes center stage, the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow will be instrumental in shaping a fairer, more balanced international order—one that prioritizes sovereignty, development, and equitable global governance.
