The recent interaction between the Indian Navy’s INS Kochi and Russian ships in the international Passage Exercise (PASSEX) has underscored the growing significance of Russia for India. The exercise, usually undertaken whenever an opportunity arises as opposed to being pre-planned, follows closely on an earlier PASSEX with the US Navy.
Significance of Russia for India
Russia’s importance to India can’t be understated, especially with regard to the Indian Ocean Region and the Arctic Region. In the former, Russia’s admission as a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) opens up ample prospects for partnership with India. This ranges from establishing a potential maritime security structure to balance power in the Indian Ocean Region, to scientific research ventures.
The Arctic Region offers its own unique opportunities. Given India’s interests in science, environment, commerce, and strategy, the Russian Arctic could prove crucial in addressing India’s energy security objectives. This is because Russia possesses the largest proven natural gas reserves globally, sufficient to last about 80 years at current production rates.
Strategic Minerals and Rare Earth Elements
The extensive deposits of cobalt, copper, diamonds, gold, iron, nickel, platinum, high-value rare earth elements, titanium, vanadium, and zirconium in the Russian Arctic make it a valuable resource hub. The Arctic contributes substantially to Russia’s production of nickel, cobalt, copper, and platinum metals. India’s rare earth reserves are richer in lighter fractions but deficient in heavier ones, which are crucial to strategic industries such as defense, fiber optic communications, space, nuclear energy, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. The Russian Arctic, with its abundant resources, could help alleviate India’s deficiencies in rare earths and strategic minerals.
Northern Sea Route
Although the Northern Sea Route or NSR doesn’t offer any direct advantages to Indian ports and is longer than the current route for Rotterdam, there are other collaborative opportunities. With Russia announcing its intention to ensure year-round, safe, uninterrupted, and cost-effective navigation in the waters of the NSR, India has shown willingness to partner, with President Putin welcoming India’s interest.
Russian Far East
The Russian Far East or RFE is abundant in natural resources. Approximately one-third of all coal reserves and hydro-engineering resources of the country can be found here. The region’s forests account for roughly 30% of Russia’s total forest area. Both India and Russia have endorsed cooperation in developing RFE, including the NSR. In 2019, India pledged a USD 1 billion line of credit at the Eastern Economic Forum to contribute towards the development of RFE.
Other Exercises of India and Russia
India and Russia have also engaged in other exercises such as Exercise TSENTR 2019, joint tri-services Indra Exercises, and ZAPAD 2021.
About INS Kochi
INS Kochi, the second ship in the Kolkata-class of stealth guided-missile destroyers, was built indigenously under Project 15A for the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. Commissioned to the Indian Navy services in 2015 after extensive sea trials, the ship has participated in several naval services including ‘Zayed Talwar’, a bilateral exercise with the UAE Navy, and ‘Al-Mohed Al-Hindi’, India’s first-ever naval joint exercise with Saudi Arabia.
(h4>)India-US PASSEX
Similar to India and Russia’s PASSEX, the Indian Naval ships have also conducted PASSEX with the U.S. Navy, indicating the increasing global collaboration between different maritime forces.
