Dangerous missile in the Indian Ocean
Putin told during the conference that this ship is equipped with the most dangerous hypersonic Zircon missile. Along with this, he has congratulated the crew for a better journey. On 17 November 2021, Russia became a dialogue partner in the India Ocean Rim Association (IORA). IORA was started in the year 1997. Its purpose was to bring to the fore the regional importance of the Indian Ocean. India is the largest member of this organization. Apart from this, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, UAE and France are also part of it. Where there are a total of 23 countries as its members, there are 10 dialogue partners. China, America, Japan, South Korea, Britain and Germany are dialogue partners. Pakistan has been kept away from it.
Russia on the way to China
Russia is engaged in increasing its presence on the Indian Ocean just like China. Russian companies have also been very active here for some time now. Russia had announced that it would build a military base at Port Sudan in Sudan. This base is on the western part of the Indian Ocean and once it starts, its activity will increase here. Like China, Russia also wanted to set up a base on Djibouti but Djibouti refused it. Mozambique and Madagascar are now major partners of Russia. In the areas on which China is active, now Russia is also strengthening its steps. Russia’s relations with the US, which is India’s dialogue partner in the Indian Ocean, are currently strained.
close to china
Russia is slowly becoming active in the Indian Ocean. Russia’s activism is increasing in Afghanistan and it is trying to get closer to Pakistan. Russia and India disagree on many issues and Afghanistan is one of them. Russia is strengthening its strategic partnership with China. A strong partnership between Russia and China is not in India’s interest. At the same time, India is a little worried about the proximity of Pakistan and Russia.
It will be difficult for India
The biggest point of disagreement between Russia and India is the Indo-Pacific region and Russia does not support its strategic framework. He believes that this organization has been formed to oppose China. Russia thinks that the purpose of the Indo-Pacific is to contain China’s powers. Russia’s increasing steps on the Indian Ocean can increase India’s complications. India and Russia are definitely strategic partners but its stand on the Quad is going to put India in trouble.