ThePrint CutTheClutter: Opportunities & strains for India-Russia partnership,defence ties as Putin lands in Delhi,meets Modi
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Dec 4, 2025 As Putin makes his 10th visit to India, historical ties between the two nations take center stage. The discussion dives into military purchases, from MiGs to submarines, shaping India's defense landscape. Gupta highlights the impact of the Ukraine conflict on India's procurement strategies and how Western sanctions complicate relationships. Furthermore, the growing Russia-China axis sparks concern for India's future alliances. Amidst these shifts, the podcast explores the enduring value of Russian military equipment to Indian operations.
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Soviet Hardware Became War Mainstay
- After 1965 the Navy and Army rapidly shifted to Soviet hardware like Foxtrot submarines and MiG-21s.
- By 1971 Soviet-origin tanks, aircraft and submarines were central to India's war readiness.
Post‑1991 Shift Changed Guarantees
- The USSR-to-Russia transition removed the old security guarantees and economic barter ties.
- India had to diversify suppliers and rework trade as rupee-ruble arrangements ended.
1971 Treaty Article 9 Was Dropped
- The 1971 treaty's Article 9 pledged mutual consultations and restraint toward third-party conflicts but was dropped in 1993.
- Yeltsin's 1993 visit reset ties with a new treaty reflecting Russia's reduced global power.