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From the tense years of the Cold War to today’s multipolar global order, India and Russia (earlier the Soviet Union) have sustained a steady, reliable, and strategically significant partnership that has proved its relevance at every turn of history. This relationship is not limited to formal diplomacy alone; it stands on the pillars of strategic autonomy, defence cooperation, technological partnership, and mutual support on international platforms. In this long journey of trust, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India on 4–5 December 2025 is not merely ceremonial—it comes as a historic opportunity to redefine India–Russia relations amidst rapidly changing global dynamics.
India’s closeness with the Soviet Union grew notably during the 1950s when Western nations attempted to pressure India at the United Nations on issues related to Kashmir and Goa. The Soviet Union exercised its veto power in support of India and safeguarded India’s strategic interests on the global stage. On 17 December 1961, when India liberated Goa, Daman, and Diu from Portuguese rule, the United States, Britain, and France brought a resolution in the UN demanding the immediate withdrawal of Indian forces. The Soviet Union vetoed this proposal, freeing India from any external pressure. Similarly, on 22 June 1962, a Western-backed proposal on Kashmir was vetoed by the Soviet Union, preventing the internationalisation of the Kashmir issue and reinforcing India’s diplomatic position.
During the 1971 India–Pakistan war, the Soviet Union again played a decisive role in securing India’s strategic space. Under pressure from the US and China, resolutions calling for ceasefire and immediate withdrawal of Indian troops were introduced in the UN Security Council. The Soviet Union vetoed these proposals twice—on 4 December and 13 December 1971. As a result, the Indian Armed Forces retained the freedom to complete their military campaign, ultimately leading to the creation of Bangladesh. These events demonstrate that the Soviet Union was the firmest supporter of India’s sovereignty and strategic interests on the international stage.
The foundation of India–Russia defence cooperation was laid in the 1960s, when India acquired MiG-21 fighter aircraft and the rights for their licensed production. This marked the beginning of a long-term military–technical partnership between the two countries. The Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation signed on 9 August 1971 provided a formal legal and political framework to the partnership during the difficult Cold War period. Thereafter, avenues for defence manufacturing, scientific research, industrial development, and technology transfer expanded significantly.
After the year 2000, under President Putin’s leadership, this cooperation became more structured and institutionalised. A bilateral military–technical cooperation mechanism was established, under which Su-30MKI aircraft, T-90 tanks, BrahMos missiles, submarines, and several advanced platforms became integral parts of India’s military capability—many of them produced within India itself. This greatly strengthened India’s path toward defence self-reliance. The 2025 Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support Agreement (RELOS), which will allow both militaries to use each other’s bases for fuel, repairs, and logistical support, is expected to deepen defence cooperation further.
In the field of nuclear energy as well, Russia has remained India’s most consistent partner. The 1988 agreement on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project laid the foundation of bilateral civil nuclear cooperation. Subsequent agreements in 2008 and 2014 paved the way for several Russian-designed reactors in India, ensured long-term fuel supply, and established the framework for future nuclear projects. These agreements provided India a stable and long-term roadmap for peaceful nuclear development.
Bilateral visits have played an important role in strengthening India–Russia relations. In the Soviet era, visits by leaders like Khrushchev and Brezhnev accelerated industrial and defence cooperation. In 1993, President Boris Yeltsin visited India and laid the foundation for rebuilding the relationship in the post-Soviet era. President Putin, during his visits in 2000, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2021, signed several landmark agreements in air defence, joint military production, nuclear energy, and the strengthening of a multipolar world order. On the Indian side, leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr Manmohan Singh, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also visited Moscow, consistently reinforcing this strategic partnership.
Putin’s upcoming visit to India on 4–5 December 2025 is strategically significant, particularly as it takes place after the Russia–Ukraine conflict and amid a shifting global power balance. Key discussions are expected on the implementation of the RELOS logistics agreement, collaboration on air defence systems and fighter aircraft, joint development of upgraded versions of the BrahMos missile, submarine cooperation, oil and gas projects, new units at Kudankulam, and forthcoming nuclear energy initiatives. Both countries are also likely to explore ways to expand bilateral trade to USD 100 billion, promote local currency trade mechanisms, and deepen cooperation through multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS. At a time when Russia faces Western sanctions and India continues to preserve its policy of strategic autonomy, this partnership remains both relevant and mutually beneficial.
In conclusion, India–Russia relations are not just a legacy of the past but a robust foundation for the future—one that shapes India’s strategic autonomy, energy security, and global role. President Putin’s 2025 visit promises to inject new momentum, direction, and opportunities into this historic partnership and will further strengthen both nations’ positions in an evolving multipolar world.
The author is a defense and strategic affairs expert and can be reached on
dslohamaror@gmail.com
