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Russia has always been actively involved with European politics. Its genesis in Kiev—close to the European borders—allowed it to participate in the affairs of the continent. Although Russia’s geographic expanse has been more in Asia, Russian political elites have traditionally identified the country as a European entity. However, following attempts at integrating with the transatlantic economic and political system during the first decade o

Russia now controls about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory (as of April 2025) following its invasion of the country in February 2022, having made major advances since mid-2023 after being initially pushed back by Ukrainian forces. This paper analyses Russia’s wartime adaptations—at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels—that have influenced battlefield outcomes in its favour. It argues that while Russia has suffered severe troop

The Russia-Ukraine war has raged for over 10 months now, and the expectation of an easy Russian walkover over Ukraine has been belied. The war is witnessing strong and determined resistance from the Ukrainian forces, with the support of Western countries through arms and other forms of aid, and sanctions against Russia. This report explores how sanctions are used in modern diplomacy and warfare, and their impact on the Ukraine war and the global

This paper looks at debates from the days of the British Raj until now that have shaped India's strategic thought on Afghanistan. It highlights the impact of India's territorial construct on its strategic imagination and argues that India's Afghan policy is determined by its political geography. Afghanistan has proved to be a security lynchpin in South and A Central Asia over the last two decades. Home to a variety of militant networks with regi

Stalin is no longer a bad name in Russia. Russian scholar Sergey Kurginyan says a recent opinion poll suggests that that "80% of the Russian population feel the peo ple were better off during the Soviet period."

On June 22, 2004, over 200 well-armed persons simultaneously raided three towns in the Ingushetia Republic of Russia, adjoining Chechnya, and attacked police stations, government buildings and checkpoints with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. The Russian and the local security forces were totally taken by surprise. Ninety-five persons were killed, the majority of them members of the security forces and other Government officials,

Russia’s policy towards South Asia has been the subject of much speculation lately. With closer cooperation between Russia and China and the former’s warming up to Pakistan, it is becoming increasingly evident that Russia is moving away from its India-centric approach in the region. This brief studies the changes, and continuity, in Moscow’s foreign policy towards South Asia as it transitioned from the Soviet Union into the Russian Federati

Russia is now the world’s most heavily sanctioned country, with unprecedented punitive action targeting its energy exports, central bank, and other sectors. Given Russia’s economic resilience amid such economic restrictions and India’s dependence on Russia for its defence and energy requirements, this issue brief highlights the economic rationale for New Delhi to maintain existing trade ties with Moscow despite continued geopolitical pressu

The impact of Indo-Russian relations on the domestic and foreign policies of India from the 1960s is difficult to underestimate. The USSR was instrumental in helping independent India industrialise, develop its scientific potential, and defend its territorial integrity. The Indo-Russian relationship developed a level of trust between two independent countries that was unprecedented in international affairs. The collapse of the USSR negatively aff

The Ukrainian incursion and occupation of Kursk has compelled Russia to turn to North Korea for troops who have been deployed and are now fighting alongside Russian forces to retake the region.

The rapid growth in military cyber capabilities of the countries in the Indo-Pacific combined with the use of assets from the cyberwarfare toolbox—in domestic and interstate contexts—is adding uncertainty to already competitive political, military, and economic relations. This issue brief assesses the cyberwarfare context in the Indo-Pacific, and reviews the military cyber capabilities of the region’s countries and their commitment to inter

The rapid growth in military cyber capabilities of the countries in the Indo-Pacific combined with the use of assets from the cyberwarfare toolbox—in domestic and interstate contexts—is adding uncertainty to already competitive political, military, and economic relations. This issue brief assesses the cyberwarfare context in the Indo-Pacific, and reviews the military cyber capabilities of the region’s countries and their commitment to inter

While much of the Indo-Russian relationship appears to be already existing ties, especially in the military-technical cooperation and hydrocarbon industry, trade and economic relations are faced with myriad challenges. It is time to diversify the trade basket to include technology, pharmaceuticals, etc.

The excitement of the Board of Governor's meeting is over and the participants have not been slow to express their views at the outcome. The Iranians are defiant, the Americans triumphant, the Russians cautious, the Europeans smug, the Chinese inscrutable, the Arabs joyous at directing a new argument at Israel, the latter pleased over Iran's predicament yet angry over a dent in their nuclear ambiguity, and the Indians self-righteous.

The Russia-Ukraine war has confounded observers, as much as it did the Russians themselves. Since erupting in late February, the war has not shown signs of abating any time soon. This brief argues that by its very nature, the war has lessons not just for the adversaries, but also the NATO alliance that is backing Ukraine, and even geographically distant China and India. For one, the war has both elements of the old eras—such as the mass

In a sense, Putin is seeking to rewrite history, with an attempt to push NATO back and restore Russian stature

In the modern era, sanctions measures have evolved into a major policy instrument, and their usage has increased rapidly since the end of the Cold War. Sanctions have been used by the US and the European Union extensively since 2014 in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with a new set of sharp and comprehensive sanctions implemented following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This paper examines the political and economic

This brief discusses the status of Gorkhas who have joined the Russian Army and the Wagner Group as civilians, combatants, and mercenaries. Would Gorkhas, who otherwise constitute part of the regular armed forces in the United Kingdom and India, enjoy the same status if they join an ongoing conflict without entering into any bilateral agreement between the states? If not, what will the Gorkhas' status be under the prevailing international law reg

New Delhi’s decision to import oil from Moscow has disappointed the US and UK, but urging us not to do so as that would help the Russian economy is blatant hypocrisy.

New Delhi is cognisant of the future viability of the Northern Sea Route, given the further thawing of the Arctic and the prospect of improved relations between Russia and other Arctic states over the long term. 

Tariff liberalisation has been a factor leading to consumption growth in India, which has again been the prime driver of its economic growth. It is therefore important that India should shed off its protectionist status and rather actively accelerate efforts to diversify trade partners beyond the US and strengthen ties with other global players.

The tide of the war has turned against Moscow. But the Russian president and his close advisers do not acknowledge that reality and have resorted to nuclear sabre rattling

This brief examines the response of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to the prolonged Ukraine war. ASEAN’s approach is viewed from two perspectives: how individual member states have responded, and the stance that the grouping itself has taken. In the immediate aftermath of the Russian invasion in February this year, the ASEAN statement was insipid; it underlined the importance of the principles of ‘mutual respect fo

But New Delhi's decision to send a contingent of the Indian Army for the September 1-7 Vostok 2022 military drill in Russia's far east has raised eyebrows, particularly in the West that is trying to isolate Moscow after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is a major exercise involving more than 50,000 troops and 5,000 weapons units, including 140 aircraft and 60 warships, with the participation of troops from China, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicar

Backing Moscow beyond a point is likely to hurt Beijing’s economic plans and long-term interests

The Russian president, who will be in New Delhi on December 6, is not just coming to maintain the ‘special, privileged strategic partnership’, but to also deepen bilateral relations

While it is sustainable thanks to long-standing connections in traditional spheres, it is also stagnant since new areas have not been clearly defined.

Despite pressure from the United States, India-Russia ties are neither likely to significantly expand nor diminish.

The Russian attack on Ukraine’s agricultural industry has largely destroyed the agricultural supply chain. The impact has been felt on the Indian economy as well.

India had recently decided to partner Russia in a joint project known as Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). A project like this is a rarity, like Brahmos, that India can ill afford to lose. Prudence would demand employment of a realist strategy of engagement by India in convincing the Russians to expand the scope of involvement.

अमेरिका का यह बयान भारत-अमेरिका के संबंधो के लिए अहम है. पहली बार अमेरिका ने भारत और रूस के संबंधो के स्‍वीकार किया है. आइए जानते हैं कि बाइडेन प्रशासन के दृष्टिकोण के क्‍या �

अत्यंत स्वस्त दरात कच्च्या तेलाची उपलब्धता ही लवकरच भूतकाळातील गोष्ट बनू शकते.

भारताच्या धोरणात्मक समीकरणात रशियाचे असलेले अस्तित्व अमेरिकेला खुपत आहे.  

टॅरिफ लिबरलायझेशनमुळे भारतात खपवाढ झाली असून तीच आर्थिक वृद्धीचा प्रमुख घटक ठरली आहे. त्यामुळे भारताने संरक्षणवादी भूमिका सोडून, अमेरिकेबाहेरील व्यापार भागीदारांचे �

भारत यह बताने में भी सफल रहा कि भले हमारे मतभेद बने रहें, लेकिन इनका हमारी रणनीति पर असर नहीं पड़ना चाहिए.

नाटोची नुकतीच झालेली शिखर परिषद युक्रेनच्या सदस्यत्वाबाबतच्या अपेक्षा पूर्ण करण्यात अयशस्वी ठरली असली, तरी अन्य बाबतीत युक्रेनविषयीची बांधिलकी दुप्पट करण्यात मात्र �

गेल्या काही वर्षात भारत आणि रशिया यांच्या संबंधांमध्ये झालेली हानी दुरुस्त करण्याचा प्रयत्न म्हणून पुतीन यांच्या भारत दौऱ्याकडे पाहिले जाते.

नाटो पूर्व युरोपमध्ये आपला प्रभाव वाढवण्याचा विचार करत असताना बेलारूस रशियन सामरिक अण्वस्त्रांचे आयोजन करण्यास इच्छुक आहे.

रशियाच्या बाहेर संरक्षण पुरवठा साखळीतील निर्माण झालेली अनिश्चितता, तसेच त्यात येणारे व्यत्यय यामुळे भारताच्या  विविधीकरण आणि स्वदेशीकरणाच्या प्रयत्नांना गती मिळण्य�

आर्थिक, लष्करी आणि धोरणात्मक क्षेत्रांच्या बाबतीत चीन हा भारतासमोरचे मोठे आव्हान असेल, अशी चिंता भारताच्या तरुणांना वाटते आहे.