New Delhi is looking to move away from its biggest arms supplier Moscow after its ability to supply ammunition and spare parts to Russia was hampered by the military conflict in Ukraine, Indian sources said.
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| Russia's S-400 missile launcher delivered to India. (Source: Eur Asian Times) |
However, India must be careful to avoid pushing Russia closer to China.
India - the world's largest arms importer - is increasingly turning to the West as the US seeks to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific region, hoping to contain a rising China by helping the South Asian nation wean itself off its traditional dependence on Russia.
Russia has supplied 65 percent of India's more than $60 billion worth of weapons ordered over the past two decades, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, but the conflict in Ukraine has accelerated New Delhi's drive to diversify its arms supplies.
“We are unlikely to sign any major military deal with Russia. That would be a red line for Washington,” said Nandan Unnikrishnan, a Russia expert at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in New Delhi.
India's trade with Russia in energy and other sectors would help "keep Russia as far away from China as possible," he said.
Meanwhile, four unnamed Indian officials said that New Delhi's stance was taken despite Moscow's offers involving platforms such as the most advanced Kamov helicopters, Sukhoi and MiG fighters, along with the addition of joint production in India.
The Foreign and Defense Ministries of both India and Russia did not respond to requests for comment on the reports.
Experts and officials confirm that Moscow has urged New Delhi to strengthen defense ties, but Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shifted the focus to domestic production with Western technology.
Such efforts would fit more neatly into the leader’s “Make in India” agenda to encourage domestic manufacturing, as he seeks a third term in general elections due in May.
In 2023, New Delhi and Washington signed an agreement with General Electric that would open up a new mechanism for engine manufacturing in India to power its fighter jets, the first such concession by the US to a non-ally. At the time, the two sides also announced plans to “accelerate” technology and manufacturing cooperation in areas ranging from air combat to intelligence.
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