Russia is currently facing a crisis like Corona and tension like Ukraine. Meanwhile, the President of Russia is coming on a six-hour visit to India. These six hours are very important for both the countries as India and Russia are completing 50 years of their ‘friendship’. The 50th anniversary of the cooperation treaty was celebrated in August and now Putin’s visit puts a stamp on the friendship between India and Russia. Putin and PM Modi are good friends and both have proved this on many occasions. But the union of Modi and Putin also risks straining relations with US President Joe Biden, as Biden and Modi’s friendship is well known. In such a situation, the question arises that whose friendship is more important for PM Modi?
Renewed tension between Russia and America
Tensions between Russia and the US are nothing new. But just hours before Putin’s visit to India, Biden has warned Russia about aggressive action on Ukraine. Biden has said that he is preparing to thwart any Russian action. The Washington Post’s report claimed that Russia could attack Ukraine with about 1.75 soldiers, while Russia has denied any military gathering on the border. NATO has also warned Russia, which has renewed tensions between Russia and Western countries, whose main face is the US.
Friendship of Putin and PM Modi
While addressing the Eastern Economic Forum recently, PM Modi had said that the friendship between India and Russia has stood the test of time. He emphasized on the cooperation of both the countries to bring stability in the global energy market. On this occasion, PM Modi praised Putin’s thinking for the development of Russia. At the same time, Putin’s visit to India is taking place at a time when there are reports of lack of warmth in relations between the two countries. During this, PM Modi and Putin will also talk alone for a few hours. India buys military equipment and large arms, including tanks, small arms, aircrafts, ships, carrier aircraft and submarines, from Russia regardless of “Western countries”.
India buys weapons in large quantities from Russia
India and Russia are jointly making BrahMos supersonic missile. According to statistics, since 1991, India has bought military equipment worth $ 70 billion from Russia because Russian weapons are also cheaper than American equipment. There are reports that Russia and China are getting closer but the pictures of Putin and Modi together from the Indian soil will put a psychological pressure on China. But the challenge of ‘balancing ties’ with Putin’s visit to India will be somewhere in front of PM Modi, who was warmly welcomed by Biden in the US.
The relationship between Biden and PM is well known
The whole world has seen pictures of PM Modi and Joe Biden’s friendship. After becoming the President of America, PM Modi had congratulated him, after which the graph of friendship between the two leaders continued to rise. In the past, when Biden and Modi met for the first time in the White House, the US President warmly welcomed Modi. A defense deal has been signed between Russia and India for the S-400 missile. Even after this, the US has not taken any action like imposing sanctions on India, which is the biggest example of the friendship between Modi and Biden.
Invitation to India to discuss democracy
The biggest example of Modi and Biden’s friendship was seen recently. Biden has sent invitations to 110 countries to discuss democracy, including India’s name. This has kept China on the sidelines but Taiwan has been taken along. It is worth noting that the US has not invited important friends like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar to participate in this conference. Biden and Modi first met in 2014 when Biden was the Vice President.
Whose friendship is more important to Modi, Putin or Biden?
It is the most difficult task for any country to have at the same time and similar relations with two hostile countries. But India is an exception to this because both Russia and America see India with equal eyes. However, according to reports, the friendship between Russia and India is no longer the same as before. The closeness between Russia and Pakistan is increasing. Both share similar views on reducing US interference in South Asia and the Taliban. Regarding Afghanistan, both the countries are seen standing together and talk about establishing peace.
In Asia, Russia is seen standing with those countries which have anti-India views. Whereas in the West, from India’s friends like America to NATO organizations are seen standing against Russia. In such a situation, it is for Modi to decide whose friendship he has to give more importance to. Although Putin’s short but important visit to India can change many equations. At present, both Biden and Putin are standing shoulder to shoulder with PM Modi, but only when the right time comes, it will be known who is Modi’s true friend, Biden or Putin.
America was left watching the 50-year-old video that changed the course of the 1971 war
.