About this video

• Video Title: Why India Will Never Give Up Russia | Abhijit Iyer Mitra
• Channel: Pyotr Kurzin | Geopolitics
• Speakers: Pyotr Kurzin, Abhijit Iyer Mitra
• Duration: 00:25:06

Overview

This video discusses India's complex geopolitical relationships, particularly its enduring ties with Russia amidst changing global dynamics. Abhijit Iyer Mitra explains India's strategic maneuvering, the nuances of its relationships with China and the US, and why the India-Russia partnership remains crucial for India's security and foreign policy objectives. The discussion touches upon historical context, military equipment choices, intelligence gathering, and the strategic implications of global events.

Key takeaways

• India's Strategic Independence: India prioritizes its strategic autonomy and avoids formal alliances, preferring partnerships and "alliances in being" without formal commitments.
• The Value of the SCO for India: While not seen as a platform for improving relations with Pakistan or China, India participates in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) primarily for intelligence gathering and gauging power dynamics.
• India-Russia Relationship Fundamentals: The enduring India-Russia relationship is based on historical trust, a lack of conflicting territorial interests (unlike China), and a strategic need for India to provide Russia with diplomatic and economic support to counter Chinese influence.
• Military Equipment Considerations: India's reliance on Russian military equipment is partly due to its suitability for India's industrial and maintenance capabilities, contrasting with the more sophisticated but expensive Western equipment.
• The Misguided Western Approach: The video suggests that Western policies, such as NATO expansion, have inadvertently pushed Russia closer to China, a development detrimental to India's strategic interests.