**West Misunderstands Depth of India-Russia Relations, Says Former Indian Foreign Secretary**
In a recent interview with RT, former Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai criticized Western perceptions of the India-Russia relationship, asserting that they have significantly misinterpreted its complexity and importance. Mathai contended that the West has largely reduced this multifaceted partnership to a simplistic narrative focused primarily on oil, neglecting the broader geopolitical, economic, and strategic dimensions that characterize the ties between New Delhi and Moscow.
Mathai, who served as India's foreign secretary from August 2011 to July 2013, emphasized that Russia has historically played a crucial role in helping India maintain its strategic autonomy, contributing to the country's economic transformation over the decades. He noted that Russia remains vital for India's future supply chains, particularly concerning critical minerals, food inputs, and other essential resources.
“They have very clearly misunderstood the depth and the scope of India’s relationship with Russia,” Mathai stated, referring to Western analysts and policymakers. He described this misunderstanding as a "complete misreading" of the situation.
Recent data supports Mathai's assertions regarding the economic ties between India and Russia. According to commodity analytics firm Kpler, India has been importing approximately 1.95 million barrels of crude oil per day from Russia as of September 2023. This relationship has seen significant growth, with India-Russia trade reaching $79 billion last year, a sevenfold increase over the past five years, as reported by Russian Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov.
In addition to being a major oil supplier, Russia has also turned to India for gasoline and other fuels, particularly following damage to its refining capacity due to Ukrainian drone attacks. This shift underscores the interdependence that has developed between the two nations.
Mathai also addressed the broader geopolitical landscape, suggesting that the global rules of engagement have historically been established by Western powers during a time when they held significant economic and political dominance. He argued that these nations wish to maintain the status quo, which can limit the agency of emerging powers like India.
To transition from being a "rule taker" to a "rule maker," Mathai indicated that India must enhance its economic and technological capabilities significantly. He pointed out that while both China and India are fast-growing economies, China's GDP was $19.5 trillion last year, far surpassing India's $4.5 trillion, according to World Bank data. This disparity highlights the challenges India faces in asserting itself on the global stage.
“If we want to be a rule maker, we have to be able to significantly increase our weight in the global economy and particularly in the new technologies which are emerging,” Mathai remarked, emphasizing the importance of innovation and technological advancement for India's future role in global governance.
In light of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Mathai underscored the importance of Indian diplomacy in safeguarding the welfare of its citizens residing in Gulf countries. He noted that approximately 8-9 million Indians live and work across the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Mathai highlighted India's ability to maintain dialogue with Iran while preserving its relationship with Israel, showcasing a balanced diplomatic approach in a complex regional landscape.
Additionally, Mathai expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing it as a “travesty.” He suggested that New Delhi could adopt a more explicit stance regarding the impact of the conflict on civilians, referencing comments made by Justice S. Muralidhar, chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, who stated that Israeli forces had made babies “special targets” in the conflict.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, Mathai's insights shed light on the intricate nature of India-Russia relations and the broader implications for India's role in international affairs. The former foreign secretary's remarks encourage a reevaluation of how global relationships are perceived and understood, particularly in the context of emerging economies navigating a complex world order.