Putin’s Visit to India: Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a two-day visit to India. He has come to participate in the India-Russia summit. Along with this much talked about journey of his, many questions are floating in the air. Indians also have many curiosities in their minds. The world sees him as a mysterious president. How much has Russia changed during Putin’s long tenure, how much has it progressed and in which areas does Russia’s strength shine today? After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia witnessed a difficult period of chaos, economic distress and political instability.
When Putin became President for the first time in 2000, the biggest challenge before him was to re-establish Russia’s political system, stabilize the economy and bring back Russia’s lost credibility on the international stage. There may be differences of opinion on Putin’s policies in the last two decades, but it is difficult to deny that today Russia has an effective presence as a global power in many important areas. This is more important for India, because the foundation of India-Russia relations rests on defence, energy, space and strategic partnership. Come, let us try to understand.
1- Political stability and return of strong state
Russia in the 1990s was struggling with political upheaval and the chaos of privatization. As soon as Putin came to power, he set two clear goals. Strengthening the grip of one Centre, reviving the credibility and institutions of two states. He increased control over regional governors, strengthened the security apparatus and raised the slogan of making Russia great again.
Critics see this as a shrinking of democratic institutions, but supporters call it a necessary discipline for Russia. The result was that Russia emerged from internal instability and reestablished itself as a well-organized national state, where decision-making, from foreign policy to security policy, became centralized and rapid.
Russia maintained its hold in satellite launch and space technology. Photo: AP/PTI
2- Economic front: Energy sector strengthened the economy
In the early years of Putin’s rule, high oil and gas prices provided great economic relief to Russia. By taking advantage of these resources, Russia reduced its foreign debt, strengthened its gold and foreign exchange reserves and gave way to some progress for the middle class. Russia was not able to create a fully diversified economy, but its dominance in the energy sector became stronger. Russia is today one of the world’s largest gas exporters. It is also counted among the top countries in oil production and is an important energy supplier for Europe and Asia.
Pressure on Russia has certainly increased due to Western sanctions, especially after the Ukraine war, but it has tried to balance this pressure to a great extent by turning towards Asia, especially by increasing energy partnerships with India, China and other Asian countries.
43- Defense and strategic sector: Russia’s biggest strength
The field in which Russia has the biggest advantage in the world is defense and strategic technology. The traditions dating back to the Soviet era were not only continued in the Putin era, but in many cases were further modernized. Russia is still a global power equal to America in nuclear weapons capability. It is a leader in the fields of missile technology, air defense systems, tanks, fighter jets, submarines and cyberwarfare.
BrahMos missile
India-Russia defense relations deepened further during Putin’s tenure. The partnership progressed on many platforms including the BrahMos missile project, purchase of S-400 air defense system, joint production and maintenance of Sukhoi and MiG fighter aircraft, T90 tanks. All this strengthened India’s defense capabilities. Putin’s policy has always been to provide high-level defense technology to a reliable partner like India, so that the strategic autonomy of both the countries can be maintained and western pressures can also be balanced.
4- Space, science and high-tech cooperation
The space program has been Russia’s historical strength and this pride continues even in the Putin era. Russia played an important role in the International Space Station (ISS). Work continued on new spacecraft and launch vehicles. Maintained its hold in satellite launch and space technology. Discussion and cooperation continued with India on cooperation in the field of manned missions, satellite launches, programs like GLONASS (Russian navigation system). All these are examples of Russia’s scientific and technological capability and its trusting relationship with India.
Despite the Ukraine crisis and Western sanctions, Russia has tried to show that it is not isolated. Photo: AP/PTI
5- Diplomacy and the concept of multipolar world
Putin has been continuously talking about the multi-polar world order. He believes that the world should not follow the dictates of just one or two superpowers, but there should be a balance between many powerful countries. Under this thinking, Russia played an active role in BRICS.
Strengthened SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization). Expanded its presence in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. This is important for India, because India also sees itself as an independent pole. India-Russia’s strategic partnership at forums like BRICS and SCO serves as a medium to create a balance between relations with the US and the West.
Despite the Ukraine crisis and Western sanctions, Russia has tried to show that it is not isolated, but that it can maintain its place through orientation towards Asia, politics of the Global South and energy-diplomacy.
Russia believes that there should be a balance between many powerful countries in the world, hence played an active role in BRICS.
Energy and natural resources form the backbone of Russia
Russia has vast oil and gas reserves, coal, rare metals, forests and water resources. These resources not only provided economic support to Russia but also provided geopolitical weapons. Russia’s influence on Europe through gas pipelines, and now its turn towards Asian markets, shows that Russia is still a world power on the energy front. In India’s energy security, long-term oil supply agreements, possible partnership of LNG and gas, nuclear energy (like Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant) can be considered the major achievements of Putin’s tenure.
Russia’s limitations and challenges
Under Putin’s leadership, Russia has shown strength on many fronts, but there is another side to the challenges. The economy is still energy dependent and limited in diversity. Population decline, aging population and migration of skilled human resources is a serious problem. There are also Western accusations and internal criticisms regarding democracy, media freedom and human rights. Sanctions imposed after the Ukraine war have increased pressure on Russia’s finance, high-tech imports, aviation and some advanced technology sectors. Despite these challenges, the fact remains that Russia has maintained itself as a strong military-strategic power, energy superpower and independent diplomatic pole.
Importance of Putin’s visit to India
Putin’s every visit to India reiterates the message that India-Russia relations are based not just on transactions, but on trust and long-term strategic thinking. In the changing global politics, when America, China, Europe, all want to come closer to India, Russia wants to give new energy to its traditional relationship. Issues like new frameworks for defence, energy and space cooperation, use of local currencies in trade, shared vision on BRICS and multi-polar world are likely to be at the center of attention in this visit. This is an opportunity for India to further strengthen its partnership with Russia in areas like affordable and reliable energy, high-end defense technology and support at international forums.
Putin’s long tenure has once again established Russia as a global power center. Russia has advanced in defense and strategic technology, energy and natural resources, space and science, diplomacy and multipolar world order. Russia’s sting still rings in all these areas. Challenges are there, but it is not easy for any country to ignore Russia’s potential and its strategic importance.
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