Russia as a Factor in India’s Nuclear Strategy: A Strategic Analysis

The strategic partnership between India-Russia has been natural and objective. Russia and India national interests coincide, or at least so not contradict each other. Despite all the reasons in favour of improved Russia-India ties, the bilateral relationship has endured many setbacks and faces multiple challenges. One aspect of the relationship, however, has thrived spectacularly- Russia arms supply to India. In just few years, Russia has quietly emerged as India’s largest arms supplier. Indian efforts to acquire a nuclear capability started already in the 60s, and the country’s first nuclear test in 1974 was accompanied by refusal to sign the NPT and the CTBT. India’s nuclear test in 1998 came at a time when India saw increasing need for economic integration with the outside world, including technology for civil nuclear energy. During the Cold War, India and Russia enjoyed close relations, based largely on a common interest in countering the U.S. It was very much a client-relationship, with Russia as India’s diplomatic supporter, major trading partner and supplier of military hardware. The break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 had implications also for relations with India. This Paper examines the facts that behind the India Russia nuclear relationship and big power directed their attention to this region which has suddenly become very significant for the big powers.