India–Russia Defence Cooperation and Geopolitical Balancing

India–Russia Defence Cooperation and Geopolitical Balancing

India and Russia share an enduring and comprehensive defence partnership rooted in mutual trust, historical cooperation, and strategic convergence. Over the decades, the relationship has grown from a basic buyer-seller one to a mature and technologically driven defence collaboration. Despite emerging global alignments, Western sanctions on Moscow, and pressure from the United States over defence and energy engagement, India continues to pursue a pragmatic approach that safeguards its national interests. The India–Russia partnership stands as a key pillar of India’s strategic autonomy—a core doctrine underpinning New Delhi’s foreign and security policies.

A Legacy of Longstanding Partnership

India’s defence ties with Russia trace their origins to the Cold War era when the Soviet Union became India’s principal defence partner. The cooperation took root in the 1960s with the supply of crucial platforms such as MiG fighter aircraft, submarines, and tanks. Over the years, nearly 60–70% of India’s defence inventory has consisted of Russian-origin systems. The partnership’s strength lies not just in volume but in the reliability and timely support Russia has consistently offered to India’s armed forces.

In the current global scenario, India continues to maintain this extensive relationship because of Moscow’s willingness to share strategic technologies and its steady record as a dependable supplier. This enduring partnership plays a crucial role in bolstering India’s defence capability, particularly in times of crisis, such as during the 1971 war and subsequent regional conflicts.

Evolution of Cooperation: From Imports to Co-Development

India–Russia defence cooperation has gradually transformed from a model centered on imports to one emphasizing joint ventures, co-production, and indigenous capacity building. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile stands out as a hallmark of this evolution. Developed through a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, BrahMos showcases a successful model of co-development that has now advanced into joint export efforts to friendly nations.

Other prominent symbols of this partnership include the licensed production of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the manufacturing of T-90 main battle tanks at Heavy Vehicles Factory, and the establishment of production units for the AK-203 assault rifles in Uttar Pradesh. These projects not only supply India’s armed forces but also boost local employment, industrial capability, and technological confidence under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

Technology Transfer and Indigenous Capability Building

One of the defining features of Russia’s approach to defence cooperation with India is its openness to technology transfer. Unlike many Western nations that impose extensive restrictions on sensitive defence technologies, Russia has shown flexibility and trust in sharing key design and engineering know-how. This has aided India’s domestic defence research ecosystem and aligns with the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP).

India’s long-term vision focuses on achieving self-reliance in defence production by reducing dependency on imports and strengthening indigenous design capabilities. Russian partnership remains instrumental in this journey, as seen in the co-production of missiles, fighter jet upgrades, and submarine modernisation programs. The symbiotic relationship ensures India gains not only physical assets but also the technical expertise necessary to sustain and upgrade them domestically.

Collaboration on Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)

The next frontier in India–Russia defence cooperation lies in advanced aerospace collaboration, primarily surrounding India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. The AMCA is envisioned as India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for multirole operations with advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and low observability.

Russia’s expertise in stealth technology and engine design offers valuable inputs for this program. Moscow has expressed interest in contributing design consultancy, engine components, and radar development assistance while encouraging local manufacturing to expand India’s aerospace engineering capacity. In parallel, Russia has also offered its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter for potential acquisition or joint production in India, which could significantly bridge India’s technological gap with advanced air power systems possessed by the United States and China.

Through these collaborations, India gains a stronger foothold in the strategic air domain, ensuring that its future air force remains equipped with cutting-edge technologies and greater operational autonomy.

Joint Research and Emerging Areas of Cooperation

Beyond existing projects such as the BrahMos missile, Su-30MKI modernisation, and T-90 tank upgrades, India and Russia have expanded cooperation into futuristic domains. The two nations are pursuing joint research in anti-drone systems, electronic warfare, precision-strike weapons, radar technology, and submarine propulsion. These initiatives embody a forward-looking approach, ensuring that both countries remain relevant in a rapidly evolving defence landscape driven by artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and space-based assets.

Additionally, there are discussions on expanding naval cooperation, including joint design for advanced frigates and support for India’s indigenous aircraft carrier program. The cumulative effect of these ventures reinforces India’s defence industrial base while maintaining strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific and Eurasian regions.

U.S. Pressure and the Oil Import Controversy

The strengthening of India–Russia cooperation often collides with Western geopolitical sensitivities. Most recently, a controversy emerged when U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that he had influenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt crude oil imports from Russia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), however, categorically rejected this assertion, reaffirming India’s sovereign right to determine its energy policies.

India’s decision to continue importing discounted Russian crude reflects its pragmatic approach to energy security and inflation management. With one of the world’s fastest-growing energy demands, India cannot afford disruptions arising from external political pressures. The government’s stance—grounded in national interest—maintains that energy choices must remain insulated from geopolitical coercion. Meanwhile, China supported India’s position, criticizing the U.S. for exerting undue influence on developing nations' sovereign policies.

This episode underscores India’s broader diplomatic strategy: to engage all global powers without compromising operational independence. The controversy also highlights the recurring theme of geopolitical balancing that defines India’s approach to defence and foreign policy.

Strategic Balancing: Navigating Between Powers

At the centre of India’s defence diplomacy lies a careful act of balancing major power relations. The U.S. continues to offer advanced systems such as the F-35 stealth fighter, while Russia markets its Su-57 platform. India’s choice, however, depends on access to technology, cost efficiency, and long-term autonomy.

New Delhi’s strategic alignment is guided by the principle of multi-directional engagement—strengthening ties with Russia while expanding cooperation with the U.S., France, Israel, and Japan. This balanced posture enables India to avoid overdependence on any single country and to capitalize on the best technologies available globally.

Despite Western sanctions on Moscow, India continues to uphold commitments in ongoing Indo-Russian projects. The operational readiness of India’s armed forces rests heavily on Russian-origin spares and maintenance support, making these ties indispensable. The mutual resilience of these partnerships illustrates how deeply embedded Russia remains within India’s defence ecosystem.

India’s Policy of Strategic Autonomy

Strategic autonomy forms the backbone of India’s national security doctrine. In a multipolar world, India seeks to ensure that its choices reflect national priorities rather than external pressures. Maintaining steady defence ties with Russia while nurturing new partnerships with Western democracies is a manifestation of this autonomy.

India’s balanced diplomacy aligns with its identity as an independent global actor rather than a participant in bloc politics. Its stance on the Russia–Ukraine conflict, for instance, reveals a nuanced position favouring dialogue and peace while abstaining from direct condemnation. This approach preserves India’s credibility as a responsible stakeholder capable of engaging all sides constructively.

The Way Forward: Strength and Vision

To sustain the momentum of Indo-Russian cooperation and ensure future readiness, India must pursue a set of integrated policies:

• Diversified Defence Ecosystem: India should continue to source critical technologies globally while preserving its longstanding Russian ties. Expanding co-development with European and Asian partners will ensure competitive innovation.
• Enhanced R&D Collaborations: Both India and Russia can deepen research cooperation in emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and cyber defence to prepare for next-generation warfare.
• Energy Independence: Investing in refining capacity, renewable energy, and strategic petroleum reserves will strengthen India’s resilience against external shocks.
• Strategic Autonomy Doctrine: India must continue asserting its independent policy path in defence procurement and energy trade decisions irrespective of external influences.
• Public Diplomacy and Narrative Management: By clearly articulating its developmental and security priorities, India can counter misinformation and reinforce public trust in its foreign policy objectives.

Conclusion

India’s defence partnership with Russia remains one of the most vital and time-tested components of its strategic architecture. Rooted in decades of trust, technology sharing, and common strategic goals, this collaboration continues to evolve in harmony with India’s self-reliance initiatives. Even as India strengthens relations with the United States, Europe, and other Asian powers, its engagement with Russia endures as a symbol of independent decision-making and pragmatic balancing in global affairs.

As geopolitical dynamics shift and technological challenges intensify, India’s approach—anchored in multi-alignment and strategic autonomy—ensures stability and growth. Through sustained joint innovation, policy independence, and indigenous capacity building, India is charting its path toward becoming a self-reliant and globally respected defence power of the 21st century.