Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
3. Do you think India’s desire to diversify its defence imports wedged India-Russia relations in recent past? Examine. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
In the 5th India Russia military industry conference held during the Defexpo 2020 in Lucknow, 14 MoUs were signed between Indian and Russian companies. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the effect that the diversification of defence imports will have on the relationship that India shares with Russia.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly highlight the fact that much of Indian military equipment is sourced from Russia.
Body:
Discuss that today their bilateral ties—officially labeled “special and privileged strategic partnership”—focus heavily on defence cooperation, while the economic partnership remains listless even as the respective relations of the two with other states have grown rapidly. Discuss other countries with which India is importing Defence equipment; explain the effect of that on Russian aspect. Discuss in such a situation and the relationship between the two, how diversification of Defence imports will affect the Indo-Russian relations in the present context and the near future.
Conclusion:
Conclude that While the relationship between the two remains generally strong and without significant obstacles, both countries need to critically examine the substance and future of their ties for a more coherent policy outlook.
