India & Russia- Great Scope of Improvement

India's relation with erstwhile Soviet Union was unparalleled in many ways. But the same cannot be said of India's relations with Russia today. To most observers the relations have been on wane for some time now especially since the U.S-India Nuclear Deal. But for all we know we need a very trustworthy friend at the very top i.e the United Nations Security Council and Russia is the only option. So, what are the problems plaguing our relations with Russia? What are the solutions? Here is all that at a glance.........

The Obstacles:

Wane in Defence Sector: India has diversified its defence procuremebts greatly. What was once a Soviet [or Russian] monopoly is now a stiff market with Israel and Russia slugging it out. France and the U.S are also emerging in a big way. What needs to be done here...............?

• Russian Weapons to China: Russia has been treating India and China on an equal basis on the Defence front, a departure from the Soviet era. Generally what is available to India is also available to China these days. These greatly affects India's National Security as China is the greatest threat to India. So India has been easing up to the West whose technology China will never have. If Russia wants to win India's trust, there should be some exclusive zone for India.
• Divergent Interests: India's bilateral trade with the U.S very high when compared to that with Russia. India's trade with E.U is also high. But Russian and the West's interests are divergent. Hence India is torn between both because India's sphere of interest is, ironically, not outside ASIA.

What has India gained from Russia?

1. India has received uninterrupted supply of Uranium from Russia.
2. Russia (or Soviet Union) always backed India on Kashmir and shielded India from U.N Sanctions.
3. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, India was practically saved from the U.S by Soviet Union. The U.S President Richard Nixon sent an Aircraft Carrier into the Bay of Bengal to threaten India. India's cry for help was heeded by Soviets and they sent a nuclear submarine to hunt down the aircraft carrier. The Americans beat a hasty retreat and India won the war,splitting Pakistan into two.
4. India's indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant , which was launched earlier this year was completely designed by Russian with Indian modifications..
5. Throughout our independent history we have had only one real friend:Russia.

What about our immediate future?

• India needs nuclear triad to realise its dreams of being a Super Power. We need to negotiate for 40-50 Tu-160 Blackjacks which is the world's heaviest military aircraft. It would be the perfect platform for India's Nirbhay cruise missile and also Shourya if there is an air launched version of the latter. If you doubt Tu-160s credentials just click on the link here. It will boost India's Nuclear Deterrence and immediately make India more important on the global scene.
• MiG-21s are dedad birds flying. Replace them with Su-30/Su-35. India would need Supercruising engines,better airframe for reduced RCS etc. In short India can integrate optimum technology from the PAK-FA project into the Sukhoi fleet.
• India would need to develop Carrier Strike Group for Indian Navy which would need more Frigates, Submarines e.t.c. We can procure the best from Russia with the best of the rest.

In short, India and Russia have a very good future together. When most of the world will be torn between the slug fest of China and the U.S, India and Russia can negate all their influence on a common platform; thereby realising a truly multi-polar world.