India wants to give up Russian weapons and distance itself from Russia, but New Delhi worries that this could push Moscow closer to China. Also, the agency reported Reuters citing experts familiar with the matter, India fears that the Russian Federation will not be able to supply spare parts for military equipment because "the war in Ukraine is dragging on," but the country will continue to "maintain ties with Russia and balance with the West."
Reuters noted that Russia, in turn, has publicly called on India to cooperate, but India wants to boost domestic production. At the same time, the agency draws attention to the fact that New Delhi will have to "walk a fine line" in relations with Russia, since the termination of cooperation will push Moscow closer to Beijing.
“Buying weapons buys you influence. By closing their access, you make them subordinate to China," - said one retired Indian official.
Svasti Rao, an expert on Eurasia at the state-run Institute for Defense Research and Analysis, told the agency that India is questioning whether Russia will be able to supply military parts "as the war in Ukraine drags on."
He emphasized that "India's multilateral orientation will continue to maintain ties with Russia and balance with the West, but it will not be an even distribution."
