About the Book

On April 2013, Russia and India celebrated the sixty-sixth year of diplomatic relations between them. The relationship between these two countries is accoladed as a strategic partnership which is 'special and privileged', and 'time-tested'. The Russians rank India very high, only next to the US and China. They believe that the three countries - US, China and India - will mould the world politics.

The partnership between India and Russia is a 'natural phenomenon' and its significance lies in mutual trust and commonality of views. A strong element of continuity is present in the bilateral relationship in the backdrop of an emerging multi-polar world, despite some lost opportunities due to some strains between India and Russia. New nuances have appeared between India and Russia over a period of time. Efforts are needed to focus the countries energy in strengthening the relationship to 'meet its optimal potential' by capitalising in the opportunities the world order is offering.

The volume focuses on the many facets of the bilateral relationship between India and Russia and their approach towards the international system. This compilation of papers highlights the high points as well as the low points of this strategic partnership. It evinces the congruence of India and Russia's national interests and explores other areas for collaboration. It also highlights the overtones in the bilateral relations such as the problems in the defence arena and Russia's bolstering relationship with Pakistan.

About Author

Rajiv K. Bhatia is the Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi. A career diplomat, he has served India with distinction for over thirty-seven years. He was India's ambassador/high commissioner in four countries - Kenya, Myanmar, Mexico and South Africa. Known for his intellectual inclinations, Mr. Bhatia enjoys writing and speaking on a wide range of foreign policy-related issues.

Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is the Director (Research), Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi. He is also a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore, since 2006.

Dr. Indrani Talukdar is Research Fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi. She also worked as Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi and Research Assistant at Foundation for National Security Research, New Delhi.

Contents

Preface
Contributors
Introduction
SECTION I
India-Russia: Bilateral Relationship
1. India-Russia Relations: Looking Ahead
Nandan Unnikrishnan
2. New Contours of India-Russia Special and PrivilegedStrategic Partnership
Vinay Shukla
3. Post-2014 Afghanistan: Possible Areas of India-Russia Cooperation
Gulshan Sachdeva
4. Russia and the Asia-Pacific
Baladas Ghoshal
5. Russia-India Strategic Partnership: Multilateral Fora and Global Political and Economic Governance
Shamma Jain
6. India Russia Defence Cooperation
Vijay Sakhuja
SECTION II
Perceptions on Regional Issues
7. Central Asia: A Platform for India-Russia Cooperation
Angira Sen Sarma
8. India and Russia: Redefining Engagement in theAsia-Pacific
Pankaj Jha
9. Russia and Pakistan Relationship: Engagement after Estrangement
Indrani Talukdar
Appendices
I. PMs Statement to the Media after the 14th India-Russia Annual Summit
II. Press Statement following Russian-Indian Talks
III. Joint Statement of the 14th India-Russia AnnualSummit: Deepening the Strategic Partnership forGlobal Peace and Stability
Index

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