India & Russia

Story hook

It is 8 July 2024 in Moscow. PM Modi is sitting across from President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. The setting is President Putin's residence Novo-Ogaryovo, near Moscow. Their joint declaration: "Indo-Russian Strategic Partnership" elevated to "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership". Modi describes the bond as "unbroken friendship spanning seven decades".

This was Modi's first visit to Russia since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. While the West has imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia (14,000+ measures since Feb 2022), India has maintained engagement — buying Russian crude oil (40% of total imports), continuing defence procurement (S-400 missile system + 11 Akula-class submarines on lease + Brahmos production with Russian engines + AK-203 manufacturing in India), and abstaining from UN votes condemning Russia.

For UPSC, India-Russia relations is heavily tested in Mains GS-II international relations.

Why this matters for UPSC

For UPSC:

• Prelims: Key bilateral treaties + defence agreements + recent visits + summit declarations.
• Mains GS-II: India's strategic autonomy, defence procurement, Russian oil, energy security, balancing with West.