By Anthony Rinna
Strategic realities in Central Asia are likely to see Russia and India returning to their historically strong ties.
In order to counterbalance a hegemonic, unipolar global order dominated by the United States, former Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeniy Primakov proposed in the 1990s the creation of a “strategic triangle” between China, India and Russia. While ten years ago it briefly appeared that this ambitious endeavor might have been possible, the vastly divergent interests of the three powers have prevented such broad partnership. Now Russia is once again undertaking to strengthen its relations with China and India in what some have likened to Barack Obama’s own “pivot” toward Asia. A full-fledged cooperative arrangement between China, India and Russia, however, seems unlikely because of the three countries’ competing interests in Central Asia. Instead, Russia’s designs to become more integrated with Asia will possibly lead to a stronger Indo-Russian relationship at the expense of a more solidified Sino-Russian partnership.
The feasibility of Russia making a full orientation toward Asia came under doubt even before the West imposed economic sanctions in response to the current crisis in Ukraine. Nevertheless, Vladimir Putin continues to develop his country’s ties with Asia’s rising powers, including summit meetings with both China and India. India and Russia, while not as close these days as they were during the Soviet era, have still maintained cooperative relations, which appear poised to grow stronger. China’s historically problematic relations with both India and Russia have improved in recent years, despite lingering problems in the Sino-Indian relationship, including a festering border dispute, and continuing mutual distrust between China and Russia.
Read the full story at The Diplomat