Clearly, the informal talks and personal chemistry between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have reset the Indo-Russian axis of cooperation, one that many had thought was being pulled at the edges in a US-dominated scenario. Going by the chief guest status accorded to Modi for the Eastern Economic Forum meeting at Vladivostok, introducing India as a decisive economic player in the Russian-Pacific region and holding the 20th bilateral summit there as an example of expanded cooperation, the relationship is not only on an even keel but emerging as a major force in the Far East. As the Russian ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev, said at a press conference, “Our leaders, who represent global powers, playing an active role in shaping a more just, equal and representative multi-polar world order, will for sure synchronise watches on international and regional developments, while we enjoy similarity of approaches in global affairs.”
Given the immediacy of Jammu & Kashmir as a context that tested ties, he further reiterated Russia’s position that it respected “India’s constitutional space, that Kashmir was an internal issue of India to be decided within the parameters of the Simla Agreement and the two countries would have to solve their issues through dialogue.” Backing him up, the Deputy Chief Mission, Roman Babushkin, clarified that during the closed consultations in UN Security Council earlier this month Russia had insisted that members should adhere to the UN charter, which says there should be no interference in domestic matters. “There was no mention of any specific UN resolutions. We are committed to non-interference in domestic affairs of a third country,” he said. The envoys also highlighted Russia’s continued support to India’s candidacy as a permanent member in the Security Council and the “inadmissibility of double standards on terrorism. The Russian-Indian ties successfully adjust themselves to the modem realities, including turbulence and unpredictability of today’s world. Our bilateral relations are immune to any negative influence from outside.” If there was any doubt on Russia’s role vis-a-vis India-Pakistan, this clearly dispelled it.
While the envoys said that they were satisfied with current levels of defence cooperation, the Vladivostok summit is expected to promote stable mutual growth of trade turnovers, aiming to touch $ 30 billion by 2025. While ONGC Videsh has been an early player in the region with the Sakhalin oil fields, the new areas for Indian investment and agreements would be mining mineral resources, harnessing energy, participation in pharmaceuticals and R&D, partnerships in education, agriculture, aquaculture, promotion of tourism and people-to-people contacts. A visit to Vladivostok is now being facilitated by e-visas. Low-cost financing and preferential tax regimes will be offered to encourage investment. Most importantly, the Vladivostok-Chennai sea route, which was once used by Russian cargo ships, will now be developed as a key transport and logistics corridor.
On its part, the Russians will enhance industrial cooperation, create new technological and investment alliances, and contribute to infrastructure development through the “Make in India” project. For example, Russian Railway will collaborate on the Nagpur-Secunderabad high-speed corridor.
Russia is stepping up efforts to prepare bilateral inter-governmental agreements on promotion and mutual protection of investments, expediting the Free Trade Area between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and India and expanding the use of local currencies in mutual payments. “We must eliminate dependence on the US dollar,” said Babushkin.
And since nuclear energy constitutes a fundamental building block for strategic partnership, Russia remains the only foreign country in India involved in practical construction of nuclear reactors. The ambassador said that the implementation of the project to build six power units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant is well under way. During the visit, both countries intend to sign a general contract for the construction of at least six extra power units of the NPP of the Russian design.” Meanwhile, Russia hopes to fatten up the bouquet of existing cooperation in hydrocarbons and liquefied natural gas, where delivery has been timely. Post the Modi visit, one can expect cooperation in geological exploration and joint development of oil and gas fields in both Russia and India, including offshore fields. On the agenda are scaling up direct air communication for passengers and freight, including between the regions of the two countries.
Now that Russia will be training and selecting astronauts for Gaganyaan, there will be increased cooperation between the Roscosmos State Corporation and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on production of rockets and spacecraft, exploration and use of outer space, including planetary exploration and manned flights.
Of course, Russia will have to consider the Indo-China anxieties within the RIC (Russia, India, China) if it wants to be a pivot of the Asia-Pacific region. The envoys deflected that concern saying every country in the region had its own vision and “the idea was not to exclude anybody from dialogue.” Cooperation within G20, BRICS, SCO, RIC, EAS and other multilateral formats will be an important part of the Russian-lndian agenda, they added.