Valdai Club

In the context of India’s G20 presidency, Russia-India relations are expected to play a significant role in shaping the G20 agenda. As two major economies and members of the BRICS and SCO grouping, Russia and India, have a shared interest in promoting economic growth and development, as well as addressing global security challenges, writes Valdai Club expert Nivedita Das Kundu.

Introduction

India’s G20 presidency provides a crucial opportunity for India to showcase its leadership skills and take forward its global economic governance agenda. The theme of India’s G20 presidency, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, highlights the idea of the world being one family and working together towards a common future. It is also interesting to note that India has positioned itself as the voice of the global south during its G20 presidency, focusing on issues that are pertinent to the region. However, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis has dominated the conversation during the G20 finance and foreign ministers’ meetings, highlighting the complexities of global geopolitics and the challenges of reaching a consensus on such issues.

India’s G20 presidency is an opportunity for India to showcase its diplomatic leadership and achievements on the global stage. It is also an opportunity to collaborate with other G20 members and international organisations to address pressing global challenges and work towards a better future for all. India’s rise as a global economic power has increased its relevance in the international arena. Its leadership role in the G20 has provided an opportunity for India to engage with major powers.

India-Russia relations have been characterized by a long-standing strategic partnership, built on shared interests and values, including their commitment to multilateralism and a multipolar world order. As India assumes the presidency of the G20, its relationship with Russia will play a significant role in shaping the global politico-economic agenda. This article tries to focus on Russia-India relations in the context of India’s G20 presidency, exploring their shared priorities, areas of cooperation, and potential challenges.

Opportunities

It is known that India’s ties with Russia date back to the Soviet era; its civilisational links, defence cooperation, and interpersonal contact still remain strong. They are strategic partners and trusted friends. In the context of India’s G20 presidency, both countries are expected to focus on expanding economic cooperation, increasing investment and trade, improving energy cooperation, and promoting the use of new technology. Russia and India are also expected to collaborate on key G20 priorities, including financial stability and on global governance reforms.

One potential area of cooperation between Russia and India during India’s G20 presidency is the promotion of sustainable development. Both countries have made significant strides in this area, with India adopting ambitious renewable energy targets and Russia promoting sustainable development in its Arctic region. The two countries could collaborate on initiatives related to energy efficiency, clean energy, and climate adaptation, leveraging their respective strengths and expertise.

Another area of cooperation could be in the field of cybersecurity. Both countries have developed sophisticated capabilities in this area. During India’s G20 presidency, the two countries could collaborate on initiatives related to cyber governance, information sharing, and capacity building. India and Russia could work together to promote a more inclusive and representative global governance system. Both countries have been advocates of multilateralism and have called for a greater role for developing countries in global governance institutions. During India’s G20 presidency, the two countries could collaborate on initiatives related to governance reform, such as increasing the representation of developing countries in international financial institutions.

India-Russia relations will play a significant role in shaping the G20 agenda during India’s presidency in 2023. During the G20 foreign ministers meeting, the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) meeting also took place on the side-lines, with the foreign ministers of India, the United States, Australia, and Japan. The QUAD meeting highlighted the growing importance of strategic partnerships and collaboration among countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier geopolitics and geo-economics discussion and dialogue, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. It also took place at the same time, while the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting was taking place in New Delhi. During the same time, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov call for better Russia-India-China (RIC) relations The RIC initiative is worth watching, as it could be a potential platform for India, Russia, and China to address issues of mutual interest.

However, India and Russia as two major economies and members of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China & South Africa) and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation), have an opportunity to promote a more inclusive and representative global economic agenda. It is positive that Russia has lauded India’s efforts to bring world leaders closer to a consensus on global issues and concerns.

Challenges

While there are opportunities for Russia and India to work together, there are also several challenges that need to be addressed. One of the primary challenges is the current state of the global economy. The Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the global economy, and the recovery process is expected to be slow and challenging. This could affect the ability of India and Russia to work together on global economic issues. The Russia-Ukraine crisis is complicated and has put India in a difficult position. India has expressed concern over the conflict and called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and negotiations. At the same time, it has refrained from taking sides and has urged all parties to exercise restraint.

As a non-aligned country, India has traditionally followed a policy of strategic autonomy, seeking to maintain friendly relations with all major powers and not align itself with any particular bloc or alliance. New Delhi has worked to promote peace and stability in the region. In recent years, India has diversified its foreign policy and has sought to expand its strategic partnerships beyond its traditional allies. Russia, on the other hand, has been facing economic sanctions and isolation from the West and has been looking to strengthen its ties with other emerging powers. However, balancing these different relationships can be challenging, as different countries have taken different positions. In the context of India’s G20 presidency, Russia and India could navigate these challenges while advancing their shared interests.

Despite certain challenges, both India and Russia have shown a commitment to maintaining their strong bilateral ties, and their cooperation in the context of India’s G20 presidency is likely to further strengthen their relationship.

Conclusion & Recommendations

The G20 forum provides an opportunity for India and Russia to engage in a constructive dialogue and work towards common goals. The two countries could work together on issues such as energy security, infrastructure development, and technological innovation.
Russia-India relations have historically been strong, with both countries having cooperated on various fronts, including the economic, strategic, and cultural spheres. The two countries have been strategic partners since before the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic) broke up, and their relationship has further strengthened in recent years.

In the context of India’s G20 presidency, Russia-India relations are expected to play a significant role in shaping the G20 agenda. As two major economies and members of the BRICS and SCO grouping, Russia and India, have a shared interest in promoting economic growth and development, as well as addressing global security challenges.

India could leverage its leadership to promote inclusive growth by advocating policies that prioritize the needs of marginalized and vulnerable populations. This could include initiatives to address income inequality, promote access to education and healthcare, and provide social safety nets for those in need.

Additionally, India could work to bridge the gap between developed and developing countries by promoting policies that support economic development in low and middle income countries. This could include initiatives to promote investment, trade, and technology transfer, as well as, efforts to address issues such as debt sustainability and food security.

India could also use its presidency to tackle the most pressing global challenges facing the world today, including climate change, pandemic preparedness, and global security. India’s leadership could help build a consensus around these issues and promote collective action to address them.

During India’s G20 presidency, both India and Russia are likely to work closely to advance their mutual interests. Russia and India are also expected to collaborate on key G20 priorities, including sustainable development, financial stability, and global governance reform.
Overall, India’s G20 presidency offers a unique opportunity to shape the global agenda and promote a more equitable and sustainable future. By leveraging its leadership and engaging with other G20 countries, India could help to build a prosperous and inclusive world for all.