New Delhi: India isn’t backing down. Russia isn’t slowing both. As Western leaders sound alarms, New Delhi and Moscow are in a quiet embrace, tightening their protection ties one deal at a time. In a high-profile engagement on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Qingdao, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had one-on-one assembly along with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov. They talked in closed session about navy cooperation.
India’s navy arsenal nonetheless leans closely on Russian methods. Over half of India’s protection tools is of Russian origin. Tanks, fighters, missiles and air protection methods – all have performed a task. This dependency isn’t new. But it surely has grow to be extra seen because the warfare in Ukraine drags on and sanctions pile up.
America isn’t happy. The previous Joe Biden administration, and now President Donald Trump’s camp as effectively, have warned nations buying and selling with Russia. There may be discuss of tariffs, penalties and even secondary sanctions. However India isn’t blinking.
India is a “strategic associate, a conventional buddy”, Belousov mentioned. In a separate put up on X, Singh struck the identical tone, emphasising “pragmatic” talks to assist protection ties. These should not merely ceremonial phrases.
India’s reliance on Russian {hardware} was solely bolstered after Operation Sindoor. Within the current battle with Pakistan, it was the Russian-origin methods that proved their mettle. Developed by India and Russia collectively, the BrahMos missile laid waste Pakistan runways and radar stations. Indian jets flew deeper. Islamabad’s defenses crumbled. After which there was the S-400.
For 4 tense days, it shielded Indian air bases from incoming missiles and drones. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself praised its efficiency throughout a post-war go to to Adampur airbase at Jalandhar in Punjab.
Retired Military Main Manik M. Jolly says the temper in India has shifted. Confidence in Russian platforms has grown. He believes the Su-57 stealth fighters might be a game-changer for the Indian Air Pressure. He additionally factors to the potential of the BrahMos-II – presumably boosted by Russian Zircon missile tech.
That isn’t all. Specialists now need to push into hypersonics. Glide autos, ramjets and scramjets – these are now not distant goals. Protection analyst Girish Linganna believes collaboration on R-37M missiles and hypersonic glide weapons may benefit each nations.
Know-how switch is vital. India desires extra than simply {hardware}. Native manufacturing, joint growth and long-term tech partnerships at the moment are central to New Delhi’s strategy.
Linganna additionally sees one other chance. India may buy methods such because the Russian Voronezh radar or Container-S arrays to negate enemy drones. These long-range radars can see stealthy threats a whole bunch of kilometers out. Joint manufacturing would tackle the New Delhi’s instant necessities and additional its “Make in India” priorities.
Behind each handshake and assertion lies one query – how far can this go earlier than Washington reacts? With Trump threatening penalties on nations buying and selling with Moscow, India’s selections are underneath the highlight. However for now, New Delhi isn’t altering course. Russian weapons are staying within the combine. And new ones is likely to be coming quickly.