In a strong reaffirmation of India-Russia ties, Roman Babushkin, Charge d’Affaires of Russia in India, declared that bilateral relations are not only withstanding international sanctions but gaining strategic depth, as showcased in the successful execution of Operation Sindoor.
Speaking with The Pioneer, Babushkin emphasised that the India-Russia partnership remains resilient and adaptive, undeterred by mounting western pressure over oil trade and military cooperation. “The trajectory is upwards,” he said, pointing to the increasing frequency of high-level contacts and the ongoing preparations for President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India later this year.
A centrepiece of recent defence cooperation, Operation Sindoor — a joint military exercise featuring Russian-origin platforms including the S-400 air defence system and BrahMos supersonic cruise missile — was highlighted by Babushkin as a “clear demonstration of operational success and mutual trust.”
“Operation Sindoor has demonstrated the effectiveness of Russian defence systems in real combat situations. These are developments of choice for the Indian Army,” he stated.
Despite US-led sanctions targeting Russia and indirectly pressuring partners like India, Babushkin asserted that such moves have only deepened bilateral ties. “We are absolutely against this unlawful tool,” he said. “Sanctions, especially unilateral ones, are illegal. The more we are pressurised, the more opportunities we find to expand our partnership.”
When asked about the impact of sanctions on India-Russia oil trade, he expressed confidence in the partnership’s flexibility. “Even if small disruptions take place, we will definitely find ways to overcome them,” he said.
Looking ahead, Babushkin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to co-production and technology transfer with India. “We don’t just sell systems. We produce jointly, share technologies, localise production, and always leave scope for upgrades — be it in jet engines or other systems,” he said.
As both nations prepare for the upcoming summit, Operation Sindoor has become emblematic of the broader strategic alignment between New Delhi and Moscow. The message from Russia is clear: this is a partnership built not just to survive global pressures — but to thrive through them.