Vladimir Putin in India to strengthen ties and maintain a balance

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) in 2019. POOL / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Vladimir Putin was absent from the G20 and Cop 26, but he is in New Delhi this Monday, December 6.

This is his second trip outside Russia's borders since the start of the pandemic after meeting Joe Biden in Geneva in June.

A rare trip, and not just because relations between Moscow and New Delhi are traditionally good, but also because they need to be warmed up.

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Moscow

,

While Russia and India have been close friends for decades, they each have alliances that worry the other.

The links between Russia and China but also very recently with Pakistan - new Afghan situation obliges - worry in New Delhi.

Russia, for its part, takes a dim view of the American bet to make its historic partner a pivot in its strategy against Beijing.

Russia is also irritated to see India emancipate itself and diversify its commercial portfolio, particularly in the area of ​​armaments.

In this market, Russia's share has fallen below 50%.

Europeans and Americans came to compete with it.

Washington, which sold maritime patrols and drones to New Delhi, even went so far as to discuss sanctions for the country which is starting to be delivered in S 400.

India seeks to preserve a privileged relationship with Russia, and in particular in the military field.

India is concerned with putting its eggs in different baskets on a military level anyway.

This is one of the reasons why she buys French, European in general.

But the purchase of Russian S400 rockets showed India's desire to keep this privileged link.

Christophe Jaffrelot, research director at CERI Sc-Po

Vincent Souriau

Moscow and New Delhi, each will nevertheless be keen on this Monday to preserve the relationship and to maintain a balance.

Vladimir Putin has promised China a visit for the Olympics.

But made the gesture to go to India first.

No doubt Narendra Modi will also have gestures of friendship.

The subject of vaccines should in particular be addressed, while Moscow has signed partnerships with New Delhi for the production of hundreds of millions of doses of its flagship serum against the coronavirus, Sputnik V. contracts in the field of energy and defense are expected.

India is important to Vladimir Putin because it has always been a pillar of Russian foreign policy but also, independently of economic questions, for geopolitical questions.

Jean-Luc Racine, emeritus research director at CNRS

Altin Lazaj

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

• India

• Russia

• Vladimir Poutine

• Narendra Damodardas Modi