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Multilateral Cooperation in India-Russia Ties:A Decadal Review of BRICS and SCO
Context:
BRICS and SCO are crucial non-Western platforms for India and Russia, reflecting shifts in their foreign policies. Both organisations have expanded their agendas to address regional and global issues, including a multipolar world order. As membership grows, India and Russia’s converging and diverging approaches become more apparent.
Russia’s and India’s Foreign Policy Evolution:
- Russia’s Shift: The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine marked a pivot in Russia’s foreign policy, shifting its focus towards non-Western alliances, particularly with China, as it increasingly distanced itself from the West.
- India’s Rise: Narendra Modi’s 2014 victory reshaped India’s foreign policy, blending continuity with a more assertive global stance. India adopted a multi-alignment approach, balancing growing ties with the US and tensions with China, which culminated in the 2024 de-escalation agreement.
Multilateral Engagement: India and Russia – Shared Goals and Pragmatic Cooperation
- =New multipolar world order : Both India and Russia seek to shape a new, multipolar world order by reforming global governance structures. Their pragmatism allows for coordination on shared goals, such as managing China’s rise, while securing economic and strategic interests in multilateral platforms like the SCO and BRICS.
- Evolving National Interests and Multilateral Cooperation of India and Russia in BRICS and SCO: Both nations’ evolving priorities reflect their changing geopolitical and economic needs. While Russia focuses on countering Western influence and integrating with China’s initiatives, India seeks to balance regional stability with strategic autonomy, navigating its engagements within both BRICS and the SCO.
India’s Approach to BRICS Institutionalisation:
- Balancing Trade Finance:India seeks to reduce dollar dependence by trading in its national currency but avoids supporting initiatives that could strengthen China’s position.
- Cautious Stance on BRICS Currency:India has refrained from supporting a BRICS currency to prevent alienating the US and due to concerns about China’s influence.
- Alternative Payment System: India is cautious about backing an alternative payment system, maintaining a balance in its multilateral engagements.
- India’s Approach to BRICS and SCO Institutionalisation: India prioritizes gradual institutional reforms within BRICS and the SCO. Despite dissatisfaction with existing global governance structures, India advocates for a more flexible, non-dominant framework, ensuring that both organisations remain responsive to the interests of all member states.
- Russia’s and India’s Engagement with the SCO: Russia’s Engagement: Russia’s initial engagement with the SCO focused on combating terrorism and extremism. Over time, it has shifted to promoting regional integration through frameworks like the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Russia’s deepening ties with China have strengthened its role within the SCO.
- India’s Engagement: India’s SCO membership was driven by concerns over regional security, particularly terrorism and instability in Afghanistan. India has used the platform to enhance ties with Central Asia, although challenges persist due to China’s growing influence within the SCO and its opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
India and Russia’s Role in BRICS:
- Russia’s Role: Russia has been pivotal in shaping BRICS as a platform for challenging Western financial dominance, particularly post-2014 sanctions. Despite efforts, proposals like a BRICS currency and alternatives to SWIFT remain unrealized.
- India’s Role: As a founding member, India has championed reforms in global financial institutions, contributing to the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB). However, the NDB’s impact has been limited, and challenges persist in advancing BRICS’ institutional goals.
Divergence and Convergence Between India and Russia in SCO and BRICS:
- Convergence: Both India and Russia align on the goal of a multipolar world, with shared concerns about the dominance of Western powers, and emphasize the need for economic and security reforms in international systems.
- Divergence: India remains cautious about China’s growing influence within both BRICS and the SCO, particularly concerning the BRI and Russia’s alignment with Beijing. Tensions over expansion and institutionalization reflect these differences.
Differences Between India and Russia in BRICS and SCO
- India’s Wariness of China
- India remains cautious in BRICS, especially regarding Russian proposals for anti-Western alignment.
- Disagreements persist between India and Russia on Eurasian security and relations with Western powers.
- Expansion and Institutional Challenges
- Russia supports expanding BRICS, including Pakistan’s membership, despite India’s reservations.
- India favors a criteria-based expansion to avoid a China-centric bloc.
