Date: Jun 25, 2021
The China factor in India-Russia relations

This discussion will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. IST — watch live here.


The special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia, has, over the decades, stood out as a long-standing, time-tested relationship. The two sides have built close political, strategic, defence, energy and investment ties — which they continue to promote and nurture through bilateral and multilateral engagements. Having navigated the changes in the international system in the past, the two countries are once again tasked with dealing with ongoing developments in the world order — recognising that these will have a long-term impact on their mutual ties.

As the rise of China upends the existing order, the question of the impact of ongoing developments on the Indo-Russia relationship has gained increasing salience, especially as the US-China rivalry intensifies. Given that this comes at a time of a sustained rapprochement between Russia and China, even as India becomes increasingly wary of a more assertive China — the dynamics have only become more complicated. The state of their respective relations with the US introduces another level of complexity in this situation. While the two partners take steps to strengthen their existing relationship, these external factors continue to exert pressure on their policy-making, including the ongoing debate over the Indo-Pacific and the nature of China’s rise.

How are these developments going to impact the future of India-Russia relations, in the light of a rising power in the international system? This webinar seeks to explore the political, security, economic and strategic aspects of the topic — uncovering opportunities and challenges for New Delhi and Moscow in an evolving world order.


This event is in association with the Valdai Discussion Club.