Beyond Protocol

 

 

THAT India-Russia association has travelled far beyond mere protocol was superbly demonstrated by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi when he broke protocol and personally welcomed Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin in New Delhi. Then came another ‘first’ when the Prime Minister hosted an informal dinner for his honoured guest at his official residence -- obviously to launch the bilateral discourse that may achieve many mutual interests for the future. And to the Prime Minister’s residence, the two leaders drove in one car -- demonstrating their closeness -- which also is beyond norm. This purposeful breach of protocol points to the importance India attaches to Mr. Putin’s visit particularly in the context of the current global scenario.

 

That New Delhi wants to pursue India’s national interests going full distance on its own terms in each of its diplomatic endeavours is one part of the story. The other part is that India wishes to communicate to the world that it would not accept to be part of any geopolitical tilt that may seek to weaken India-Russia relations with a glorious history of close to eight decades. In the given global situation, both India and Russia have much to achieve from each other -- in terms of strategic issues, in terms of arms purchases and technology transfer, in terms of diplomatic association, in terms of economic relationship, in terms of efforts to rewrite the script for a new global order! This visit of Mr. Vladimir Putin to India would achieve many of these stated -- and many hitherto unstated -- goals.

 

All this is slated to happen under the glare of the world -- with the United States of America making every effort to keep the India-Russia association from getting thicker and stronger, with the European countries breathing down Russia’s neck not just to end war with Ukraine but also pander to the American whims, with China keenly watching how the India-Russia ties blossom further. For, each of these has calibrated vested interests in gleaning an interpretation that suits each country’s overall interest-range. It is obvious that Mr. Putin and Mr. Modi would have wide-ranging talks. Both are clear that both the countries expect the other partner to start giving more to strengthen the association. If India looks to buying more Russian war merchandise, Russia expects India to continue buying Russian oil (for which it is offering unprecedented discounts). If India expects Russia to buy more Indian goods, then Russia expects India to supply it huge manpower -- approximately 3.1 million Indians talented in different domains -- by the year 2030. The mutual wish-list is not very long, but it is critical to common interests. Of course, bilateral trade is a major issue, and the two leaders are slated to sort that out, or at least initiate the process.

 

With a higher Russian awareness that it cannot depend completely on China for its economic consolidation, Mr. Putin looks forward to strengthening economic ties with India and take those to the next level. Being the most-sanctioned country in the world, Russia looks to friends like India to ease the economic roadblocks the American sanctions have created over time. Suffering from 50% tariffs on Indian goods in the US, India, too, looks forward to expanding its trade with Russia. It is obvious, both the leaders would create an ecosystem in which both would benefit from healthy collaboration. Even though the United States is trying to brand the Russian economy as of small consequence, the Russian leader does not care a damn. Even though the US has engaged India in trade talks, India has showed no inclination to rewrite its economic goals in which Russia plays a major part. Seen in this light, the India-Russia summit is expected to impact the global geopolitical and economic order to a big extent. It is expected to prove critical to a harmonious world in the coming years -- and both the countries and their leaders are fully conscious of that.