India, which is one of the world's largest arms importers, is appealing to the West and expressing its intention to abandon Russian weapons and strengthen relations with the West. However, such a strategy can provoke Moscow to get closer to China , which causes indignation in New Delhi.
According to Reuters, India is gradually reducing its dependence on Russian weapons, returning to Western suppliers. In addition, the US is actively working to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region in order to contain China's influence and reduce Russian influence.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, over the past twenty years, Russia has supplied about 65% of the weapons purchased by India worth more than $60 billion. However, the conflict in eastern Ukraine stimulated India to look for alternative sources of weapons.
Russia , for its part, actively calls on India for further cooperation. However, India expresses its intention to strengthen its own military-industrial complex and develop domestic production. Last year, India and the US signed a defense agreement that involves the joint production of aircraft engines.
Analysts note that India is walking a fine line as it tries to avoid further disputes with Russia and preserve important ties while it seeks to develop new strategic partnerships. An important challenge is also the issue of the possibility of obtaining spare parts for military equipment in the conditions of a long war in Ukraine.
