Abstract

Three factors supported the connection during the Cold War: Soviet weaponry sales to India, a common economic system that prioritises the public sector and substantial Soviet aid, and a geopolitical alignment between USSR, New Delhi, and the U.S.A, Islamabad, and Beijing. Moscow-New Delhi ties got affected because of the collapse of USSR, the rise of Beijing alongside New Delhi, tensions between the United States and PRC, the strengthening of relations among the USA and New Delhi, & the strengthening of ties between Russia and China as a result of Kremlin‘s part-away alongside the Western world as well as the conflict in Kiev. Only the arms trade survives as one among the three (3) foundations pertaining to Kremlin-India alliance. Russia‘s hardware till now makes a sizable component of the force structure of the Indian Armed Forces, but Moscow is up against competition in the Indian arms market. Russian arms sales to India have decreased recently as a result of India's aim to diversify its source of weaponry and build up its own defence sector. Russia's shift towards China has been accelerated by its breach with the West as a result of its conflict with Ukraine. Russia's status as China's junior partner will make it more difficult for Moscow to maintain its relationship with India in light of the tensions between the United States and China and between China and Delhi. Kremlin‘s clout over either India alongside P. R. C. has been dwindling as a result of their increased independence and new partnerships that provide advantages over Russia. Yet, the collaboration between Russia and India will continue. Moscow is still a major provider of energy and, most recently, armaments to India. The penalties that the West has put on Russia are not supported by India. With this, Delhi has demonstrated its autonomy in overseas affairs. To Kremlin, Delhi is a sizable opportunity pertaining to both the oil alongside armaments. Whereas Delhi with Moscow have relations dating back over two generations, Delhi & the USA share a relatively new strategic alliance. There is no excuse for India to disregard the benefits of this alliance. Russia also doesn't. Moscow is considered to play a weak hand well, but it will find it harder to maintain close security relations with both China and India. It is unclear how China would respond to Russian weaponry supplies to India and what Moscow will do if Beijing presses it to limit these deliveries. The likelihood that Beijing will have more influence in Moscow than New Delhi is higher due to geographical closeness, economic linkages, as well as one on one ties among Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.