The messages for China and the US in Putin’s trip to India

Name: Australia, Britain, Canada join US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights
Uploaded: 2021-12-11T14:00:25.000Z
Duration: 2 min 34 s
Description: Australia, Britain, Canada join US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights

The Russian president’s rare international visit was a chance for Moscow to strengthen defence ties with New Delhi

It was also a signal of how far its interests extend into conflicts with other world players, analysts say

5-MIN READ5-MIN

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi on Monday. Photo: DPA

Shi Jiangtao

Published: 10:00pm, 11 Dec 2021

When Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi on Monday, it was only his second overseas trip since the pandemic began.

Putin was in India to renew the “special privileged strategic partnership” between the two countries, a relationship that dates back to the Cold War.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin described India as “a great power, a friendly nation and a time-tested friend”. For his part, Modi called ties with Moscow, India’s largest weapons supplier, “truly a unique and reliable model”.

A joint statement issued after their talks confirmed their intention to “strengthen defence cooperation, including in the joint development of production of military equipment”.

The whirlwind trip was not only a boost to defence ties between the two countries, it was a message to China, which is in the midst of a protracted stand-off with India in the Himalayas. It was also a reality check for the United States, as its feud with China deepens in the Indo-Pacific, analysts say.

02:34

Australia, Britain, Canada join US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights

Despite the long-standing ties, Russia and India would seem to line up on opposing sides.