Vladimir Putin may be isolated in the West because of the Ukraine war, but in India, the Russian President is getting the red-carpet treatment. The two countries share a special relationship since India's independence.

Delhi

India's relationship with Russia is characterized by longstanding cooperation, particularly in the defense sector, with Russia remaining India's largest supplier of military equipment and technology. This partnership has persisted since India's independence and the Cold War era, with Russia consistently supporting India in international matters and refraining from public criticism on sensitive issues.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, India has increased its imports of Russian crude oil, becoming the second largest buyer after China, despite facing Western pressure and tariffs. The Indian government continues to prioritize strategic autonomy through a multi-alignment policy, maintaining relations with multiple global powers, while public opinion in India remains favorable towards Russia and its leadership.

India's special relationship with Russia explained

When these two men hug, it's not just personal. It signals a special partnership, a bond that goes back to India's independence and the long years of the Cold War, when Russia was still Soviet Union Russia. In Delhi, Russia expert Archana Upadhyay tells us this has been India's steadiest partnership. Russia played a very important role, Soviet Russia, in India's developmental trajectory. And yes, the defence sector was a very, very important sector. Even today, after so many years, the defence inventory from Russia surpasses that of any other country. More than that, Russia is also willing to share technology. When India retired its last Russian MiG-21 fighter jets in September, there was already talk about joint production with Russia of the next generation of combat aircraft. Nothing is definite yet, but Russia acts where others preach, says Professor Upadhyay. We are extremely sensitive to any kind of lecturing that happens, especially from the West, whether it's so-called human rights violations or religious freedom, or for that matter, you know, about the nature of Indian democracy. Russia has never, ever lectured India on anything. Russia stood with India during hostilities over the divided Kashmir region. And after the 1998 nuclear test brought US-led sanctions, India repaid that loyalty by staying neutral in the Ukraine war, a conflict many here link to NATO's push east. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, India has become the second largest buyer of discounted Russian crude oil, after China. But unlike China, India has been singled out by the West to stop, with the US imposing steep tariffs of 50% on Indian goods. What we can understand and see is the hypocrisy of the West, not just America, if you look at it. China is buying much more oil than India. So is Europe managing to have its contacts with Russia. After gaining independence, India has followed a non-alignment policy from day one, staying out of blocks and guarding its strategic autonomy. The Modi government says it's doing the same, but with a multi-alignment twist. In this playbook, even a bitter rival like China can become a partner when it suits India's interests. Multi-polarity or multi-polarism is not just merely an empty word. There are countries, especially countries like India, Russia and even China, they are seriously working towards it. Together, India and Russia, they become an important force in a multi-polar world. Public opinion in India largely mirrors government policy. Russia remains popular here, and so does Vladimir Putin. A recent Pew Research study found that nearly 60% of Indians have a positive opinion of him, despite the war in Ukraine.

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