?
Russia-India Summit: Is the Strategic Partnership Still Afloat?
After almost two years in the making, the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi was held on December 6, 2021 in New Delhi. The Russian President’s visit was anticipated as never before since the absence of personal meetings at the leadership level turned out to be critical for the bilateral ties moving forward. Only when leaders meet, the relationship may receive an impetus with the existing misunderstandings being downplayed. Chances are high that both leaders will remain in office beyond 2024, so it is increasingly likely that for this decade the relationship will hinge on their decision-making and personal diplomacy. Hence, the summit should be examined not only as another annual event, but rather from the strategic perspective.