Short history of friendship between India and Russia

 

Short history of friendship between India and Russia

The friendship between India and Russia has a long and strategic history, deeply rooted in mutual respect, cooperation, and shared interests. Here's a brief overview:

1. Early Days: Soviet Union and India

• 1947: India gained independence, and the Soviet Union recognized India as a sovereign state.
• 1955: Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Moscow, and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visited India, solidifying ties.
• 1950s–1970s: The Soviet Union supported India in industrialization, providing assistance in building major projects like the Bhilai Steel Plant and other infrastructure.

2. Strategic Partnership

• 1971: India signed the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation, a cornerstone of their partnership. This agreement was critical during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, where the Soviet Union backed India diplomatically and militarily.
• During the Cold War, India followed a non-aligned policy, but it maintained close ties with the USSR, benefiting from military and economic assistance.

3. Post-Cold War Era

• 1991: With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited the relationship with India. While the initial years were challenging due to Russia's internal economic and political issues, ties remained strong.
• 1993: India and Russia signed a new Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, renewing their partnership.

4. 21st Century: Strengthening Ties

• Russia remains India's largest supplier of defense equipment, providing weapons like the Sukhoi fighter jets, S-400 missile systems, and BrahMos missiles (a joint venture).
• Collaboration extends to nuclear energy (Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant), space technology, and trade.
• Both countries share similar views on counter-terrorism, multipolarity, and respect for sovereignty.

5. Modern Times

• Despite India’s growing relations with Western countries (especially the U.S.), it continues to value its deep strategic partnership with Russia.
• Current Challenges: India’s neutral stance on global issues like the Ukraine war has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining a balanced relationship with Russia.

Significance

The India-Russia friendship has been characterized by trust, defense collaboration, and alignment on global issues, with both nations consistently supporting each other in international forums.