Foreign affairs and policy is a set of check and balance through which every state paint itself on global canvas. Common and self interest is at the core of each and every action, whether it is economical, cultural exchange, investment or military action.
During cold war india and USSR had shared a strong military economic and diplomatic relations. Both state termed their relation as “Special and privileged strategic partnership”. After the fall of USSR —India’s all weather friend, India continued her close and strong special relationship with Russia. The Indo-Russia strategic partnership has been built on five major component: Politics, Defence, Civilian Nuclear Energy, Space and Anti-Terrorism Co-operation. But circumstances always do changes in geo-politics.
From 2003-04, Indo-US partnership started paving ways to strong diplomatic ties. Relations of USA with India, started creating cracks between Indo-Russia Relations. The Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement was signed in 2008, which gave a fillip to the ties between the two nation, have been on an upswing since then. The co-operation and Bilateral trade and investment between these two states started achieving new heights. Western countries started acknowledging India’s view on decision making matter of global governance, terrorism, trade and investment. Admission of India to Multilateral Export Control Regime (MTCR) and Australia Group was one of the major outcomes of advancing and close Indo-US relation. After 2014, Both countries were looking to promote their partnership to military cooperation. Both the nations witnessed six times rise in friendly military exercises between them.
The US has four foundational agreement that it signs with its defence partner. First, General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which was signed in 2002.The agreement enables the sharing Of military intelligence between the two nations and requires each to protect others. Second, The Logistics Exchange Memorandum Of Agreement (LEMOA) was signed. This agreement Permits the military of either country to use others bases for resupplying or carry out repairs (For this requires individual clearance of each request).
On the other hand, strengthening defense cooperation between India and US was becoming a major problem for Russia as Defence manufacturer and civil nuclear energy supplier to India. To warn India, Russia inked a defence cooperation agreement with Pakistan. Just few week after India signed LEMOA agreement with US, Russia-Pak held its first joint military drill. Russia has been the largest supplier of defence hardware to India and has been maintaining a very low profile cooperation with Pakistan. But with changes in geo-politics and growing ties of India with US, Russia too started responding call from Pakistan to improve bilateral trade. This is a very serious and major concern for India to lose such a strong ally
Third, Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA)” was signed in 2018. This agreement enables the two countries to share secure communication and exchange information on improved equipment during bilateral and multinational training exercises and multinationals operations. The fourth agreement the Basic Exchange and Co-operation (BECA),Sign in 2020 which permits the exchange of an classified and controlled classified geospatial Products, technological nautical and aeronautical data products and service between India and the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency [NGA].
Now, it is a tough nut to crack for India to balance the relation between US and Russia. If India will not be able to do so then; who will replace Russia as an all weather friend of India? Will it be France or United States of America?
Sources :- White House press releases and Indian Ministry of External Affairs