India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war is well established: it advocates an end to hostilities and prefers dialogue over conflict, a stance that has been consistently articulated at international forums. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow, his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his pledge to enhance bilateral trade and defence cooperation mark a strategic shift in stance.
The visit is aimed at sending a strong message to India’s Western partners that India is committed to protecting its national interests while dealing with complex global issues. After all, according to an Indian Express analysis, India’s oil marketing companies (OMCs) saved over $10 billion from April 2022 to May 2024, mainly due to Russian crude oil imports. Additionally, it underlines India’s enduring friendship with Russia amid geopolitical dynamics, including a clear message to China.
PM Modi has shown a knack for taking bold foreign policy moves, exemplified by the strong ties with Gulf countries during his tenure. While India values its friendship with the US and other Western nations, it is charting its own path to protect its national interests. This is a trajectory that is set to accelerate in Modi’s third term. The agreement to set up Indo-Russian joint ventures for defence production and facilitate military exports to mutually agreed friendly countries exemplifies this farsighted approach.
Modi’s visit to Austria, following his trip to Russia, is the first official visit by an Indian prime minister since 1983, reflecting a pattern of seeking new allies. This trend has been evident since Modi took office a decade ago.
Modi’s third term is different in terms of his recent foreign policy decisions. From inviting all neighbouring countries except China and Pakistan to his swearing-in ceremony to strategic partnership at the G-7 summit in Italy and now visiting Russia and Austria, Modi is making important statements on the global stage. Foreign policy remains the cornerstone of the Modi 3.0 agenda.
(Mayank Mishra is a consulting editor at NDTV)
Disclaimer: These are the personal views of the author