Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met President Vladimir Putin a number of times of late. The latest summit is of the greatest moment. Defence and economic cooperation are of course top priorities. But the ISIS has come to the fore threatening Russia which has led it to intervene in Syria. India is equally concerned about the threat in West Asia imperilling its energy security and remmitance revenue. The Taliban have risen against in Afghanistan causing concern to both India and Russia. Not that they agree on all issues, Afghanistan for instance. Russia is anxious to ally with the Taliban and Pakistan to contain the ISIS. A common platform has not been possible. One reason is India’s pursuit of a strategic relationship with the US which is not to Russia’s liking. Delhi has made a number of military deals with Russia. Russia is to supply nuclear reactors to the Kundankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu. Bilateral trade between the two countries used to rise from 10 million dollars a year to 30 million dollars inside the decade. India is also after Russia’s hydrocarbon resources.
India can never underestimate its long standing ties with Russia since 1971. The US is now shy of global military involvement especially in distant countries. Russia can fill the role in West Asia. India needs a whole host of powers other than the US to pursue its interest. Russia of course comes at the top.
