The Key Features of Relations between Russia and India in the Context of a Shifting Balance of Power in Asia
The Key Features of Relations between Russia and India in the Context of a Shifting Balance of Power in Asia

Summary/Abstract: This paper intends to answer the question of how Sino–Indian controversies,specifically relations between India and the US, and Sino–Russian cooperationinfluence the ties between Russia and India. The paper offers an analysis of the keyfields of cooperation between Russia and India, which are mainly defined bya strong interdependence in a number of areas, such as military and technicalcooperation and nuclear energy. Through the lens of the neorealist paradigm,the current relations between Russia and India are studied in the context of eachcountry’s relations with the US and the PRC. The balance of power in Asia is shiftingtowards China due to its dynamic foreign policy and economic expansion duringthe past decade. As a result, China’s increasing activities in Asia reduce India’spotential for development, while a worsening confrontation between the US andRussia forces Moscow to drift towards Beijing. The paper concludes that the actualcooperation between Russia and India is mutually beneficial and to a large extentsupports New Delhi’s ambitions to contain a shift in the balance of power in Asia.However, the escalating Sino–Indian controversies and a growing rapprochementbetween Russia and China could cause a deterioration in relations between Russiaand India. This, in turn, could predetermine India’s choice in favour of a closerapport with the US in the longer term.

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