India is aiming to distance itself from its primary arms supplier, Russia,due to challenges in Russia’s ability to provide munitions and sparescaused by the Ukraine war. However, Indian sources emphasize the need forcautious navigation to prevent strengthening Russia’s ties with China.
As the largest arms importer globally, India is gradually shifting towardsthe West, aligning with the United States in bolstering Indo-Pacificrelationships. This strategic move seeks to diminish India’s historicalreliance on Russia and, in turn, contain China’s growing influence in theregion.
Over the last two decades, Russia has supplied 65% of India’s weaponspurchases, totaling more than $60 billion, according to the StockholmInternational Peace Research Institute. The conflict in Ukraine hasaccelerated India’s determination to diversify its weapons procurement.
Nandan Unnikrishnan, a Russia expert at the Observer Research Foundation inNew Delhi, asserts that India is unlikely to engage in significant militarydeals with Russia, as doing so would be perceived as a red line forWashington.
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Despite Moscow’s offers, including advanced platforms like Kamovhelicopters and Sukhoi/MiG fighter jets with potential joint manufacturingin India, the sentiment remains steadfast. Anonymous sources, including arecently retired senior security official, express these views, emphasizingthe sensitivity of the matter.
While Russia has publicly encouraged India to enhance defense ties, PrimeMinister Narendra Modi is shifting his focus toward domestic production,leveraging Western technology—a significant departure from the traditionalreliance on Russian arms. Both the foreign and defense ministries of Indiaand Russia have not provided comments on this evolving scenario.