Is Russia playing a DOUBLE game with India after Putin’s visit? Joins hands with Pakistan’s close friend for…

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India(BHARAT) has been one of the most highly anticipated moments this year. He even attended a banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Not to forget, but his two-day India(BHARAT) visit comes at a time India(BHARAT)-US relations are going through possibly the worst phase in the last two decades after Washington imposed a whopping 50 per cent tariff on India(BHARAT)n goods, including 25 per cent levies for New Delhi’s procurement of Russian crude oil. On the other hand, Russia and China conducted a joint anti-missile exercise on Russian territory in early December, as reported by Reuters.

When did Russia conduct the anti-missile exercises?

It was the third joint anti-missile exercise between the two nations thus far. The warships and submarines of both countries were involved in the exercise practicing the ability to hit enemy missiles when they launched from the Sea of Japan, as reported by NavBharatTimes Hindi. The exercises also involved the practice of destroying critical enemy missile sites.

This exercise marks a new stage in the defence relationship between Russia and China. The significance of this exercise is that it was conducted during President Putin’s visit to India(BHARAT), and therefore, due to the long history of a cold relationship between India(BHARAT) and China, Russia’s involvement with China in this exercise is being perceived as an indication of Russia’s attempt to balance power between the two nations.

Why are these developments seen as a strategic balancing act in Asia?

China’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that China and Russia have conducted their third joint missile defence exercises in Russia at the start of December. The Ministry has published this information on its own website and states that these exercises were not targeted at any third party or in response to any current international situations, as Reuters mentioned.

Last month, the two countries held talks on missile defense and strategic stability, and in August, they conducted artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan.

Shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russia and China signed a “no limits” strategic collaboration with a commitment to conducting joint military training exercises regularly to enhance coordination of their respective military forces.

How might this affect future India(BHARAT)-Russia relations and regional stability?

Both countries were also alarmed by President Trump’s desire to develop and implement a “Golden Dome” missile system and his announcement to restart nuclear weapon test detonations after a break of more than 30 years.

Increased defense collaboration between China and Russia presents potential challenges for India(BHARAT). As a result, tensions may rise in the future. However, according to Russia, its relationship with China does not affect the relationship that Russia has with India(BHARAT). The China-India(BHARAT) border dispute has been ongoing for many years, culminating in a war in 1962. Border skirmishes between China and India(BHARAT) have occurred repeatedly since then.