India’s commitment to strong ties with Russia has been evident during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow, despite Western pressure. New Delhi has consistently nurtured economic and defense partnerships with Moscow, focusing particularly on the oil sector in recent times. India boldly continued purchasing discounted Russian crude oil after the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, attracting criticism from its Western partners.
The two nations are exploring greater investments in the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) and Siberia. The EMC is a proposed sea route connecting the Indian port of Chennai to the Russian port of Vladivostok. Once completed, the EMC will reduce transportation time from over 40 days to just 24 days, providing India with a shorter and more efficient route to access markets in the Far East, including China and Japan.
In addition to energy cooperation, India and Russia are exploring collaboration across various sectors, such as hydro and thermal power, energy efficiency, and non-conventional energy sources. The two nations have also signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in areas like nuclear energy. India is looking forward to expanding its energy relationship with Russia to include hydro and thermal power, energy efficiency, and non-conventional energy sources.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow underscores India’s steadfast commitment to enhancing its multifaceted relationship with Russia. As both nations navigate complex global dynamics, the Moscow talks are poised to chart a course for deeper collaboration across all strategic sectors, reaffirming the enduring strength of the partnership between the two nations.