APD | Russia seems uneasy with increased Indo-US alignment

Editor's Note:

The writer, Mr. I. Hussain Janjua is a senior media professional and analyst having experience of research & broadcast journalism in different organisations. He is a non-resident fellow of Chengdu Institute of World Affairs (CIWA). (Email: [email protected]; twitter: @ihussainjanjua)

India-Russia friendship is once again in the headlines. But this time Russia-India relations are being discussed not because of China but because of the closeness of India and the United States.

Earlier, due to a border dispute between India and China, the foreign ministers of the two countries met in Russia. Even then, India's friendship with Russia was well discussed.

The annual meeting between Russia and India that has been going on for 20 years is not taking place this time. The Corona epidemic is being blamed for the first meeting postponement between India and Russia in two decades.

It is not that simple. Actually, the quad has now been formalized, although the group has been in existence since 2007, when it was considered informal --- India, the United States, Japan and Australia are part of the Quad, the 'quadrilateral security dialogue'.

The world sees Quad as a group against China, but now Russia has hit out at the 4-nation quadrilateral strategic dialogue, calling it a “devious policy” by western powers to engage India in “anti-China games”. Moscow has also expressed concerns about the US Indo-Pacific policy and criticised the Quad as a “divisive” and “exclusivist” concept. This is the first time it has suggested that India-Russia ties could be affected.

Speaking via video link to the Russian international affairs council, a state-run think tank, recently Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while referring to the Quad group said Western countries were trying to weaken the close ties between India and Russia.

India is currently an object of the western countries’ persistent, aggressive and devious policy as they are trying to engage it in anti-China games by promoting Indo-Pacific strategies, the so-called Quad, while at the same time the West is attempting to undermine our close partnership and privileged relations with India, Russian Foreign Minister said.

The incoming Biden administration is also expected to press harder on India against its purchase of the S-400 anti-missile system from Russia, which could attract US sanctions.

Russian Ambassador to India, Nikolai Kudashiv, proposed a Eurasian treaty in the Indian Ocean --- so it is important to understand what Russia has in common with the Quad Group.

"The fact is that the annual meeting is not taking place this year because of Corona," said Vene Shukla, a senior journalist based in Moscow, adding that it is also true that Russia is a little worried about the Quad."

Explaining the reason, he says, "The first reason is that according to Russia, India's joining this group is immoral." The second reason is that Russia feels that the Quad Group could pose a threat to Russia in the Indian Ocean region in the future.

"The United States and Russia are at odds with each other. The United States is in the Quad. In this way, India will become part of the 'anti-Russia' tent. The Russian Navy in the Indo-Pacific could be in danger.

Tensions between India and China in the Ladakh region have been high since May this year. When things got worse, it was in Russia that Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Chinese Defence Minister.

Many experts believe that Russia has acted as a mediator between the two countries at the behest of India. Russia had alsoplayed a similar role during the Doklam conflict.

Some experts believe that it is immoral for India to be part of an "anti-China group" even when the border dispute between India and China continues and Russia is playing a mediating role.

Opposition Leader in India, Rahul Gandhi has also raised concern over the postponement of Indo-Russia summit as he has shared an article on the subject on Twitter. He says Russia is very important friend and damaging our traditional relationship is short-sighted and dangerous for our future.

The Quad Group was proposed in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and backed by India, the United States and Australia. Representatives of the four countries met in New York last year. This year's meeting took place in Tokyo, after which it became a formal government group.

Russia seems to have become convinced with its participation in the Quad Group that the United States and India have strong defence ties. The Quad may not be a defence agreement, but due to some rules the group appears to be a defence agreement. That is why Russia is worried about India's inclusion in the quad.

In fact, after the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries in October, there was a BECA Agreement (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) between India and the United States allowing India and the United States to share advanced defence equipment and military information.

The post-agreement comments by the US Secretary of Defence make everything quite clear: "The defence agreement between the two countries is based on our mutual values and interests. We stand shoulder to shoulder in making the Indo-Pacific region open and free to all.”

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)