As Moscow gets close to Beijing
Hindustan TimesOver the past four years, India has navigated multiple crises, ranging from Covid-19 to the military standoff with China and the fallout of conflicts, enhancing the country’s position without compromising on core interests. And it is aware of the ever-lengthening shadow of China, not just at the border but across the neighbourhood, including the Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, where Beijing buys influence to enable its pursuit of the pre-eminent position in the Indian Ocean. That President Vladimir Putin chose China for his first trip after beginning another term reflects the strength of ties between the two countries. The proximity between Moscow and Beijing is of particular interest to New Delhi because of its dependence on Russia for defence needs, a legacy issue it has tried to overcome by looking at new partners and by self-reliance in armaments.