Russia milked because we failed. Simple. Why we failed? I think its pretty clear by now. Keeping the politics aside its mainly because we did not have a business friendly environment and did not invest enough in manufacturing, science and technology, particularly in the military domain. No need to discuss. Having said that, lets keep in mind the following:
1> During the Cold War we had much to gain from both the USSR and the USA. We used that reasonably well to our advantage, even though we leaned more towards the USSR primarily for military reasons. NAM had served us good in that regard.
2> No Russian company makes anything near to what the Americans make across the spectrum of industries (commercial goods and technologies at least). Russia has no Intel, AMD, Boeing, Google, Apple, Facebook, Ford, GM, etc. Nothing to gain for us from Russians here. Whereas these companies which work in India and which employ Indians are certainly of value. Note that the Bangalore/ Hyderabad startup ecosystem that has come up now is following the US path, and good engineering products come out of these companies because of the US influence. Note that military technologies are intertwined with the products of such companies. Folks who work in these companies contribute to similar Indian companies using the experience they gain there. And this helps India.
3> The Russians have certainly shared with us precious technology and military hardware based on which we are now in the launchpad for our own MIC. Don't believe it? Well our naval platforms, ballistic missiles, nuke subs, cruise missiles, and certain aircraft technologies have Russian foundations. We should leverage our relationship here to take things further.
4> Given Russia's small population size and small economy, volume of trade will be limited. Hence its difficult for us to expect that Russia will be a giant trading partner for us (as far as export of Indian goods is concerned.) Also note that we don't make high value finished goods that much (And certainly not of Indian brands at least)
5> China makes a ton of high end finished goods, and is a major source of money that Russia can tap into. Hence the cosiness. Having said that there is reason to believe that there are iron fists under the velvet gloves. Expansionist CCP wants the Russian Far East, and the day they believe they have the military advantage over Russia in this regard they will make their move. It also doesn't help that the Chinese do whatever they can to steal Russian military tech and then undercut them in the global arms market. The Russians are vocally unhappy about it. Its similar to what the Chinese did to foreign high speed train makers. Took their tech then threw them out. All said and done I wouldn't be surprised if the Russians and the Chinese have an armed conflict a decade or two down the line.
6> There has to be only one top dog in Asia, and that must be India for the greater good of mankind. The CCP must lose. Whether we like it or not, we are locked into a conflict with China, and a large kinetic action will happen at some point in the future. They want our land, and defang us permanently. India is China's biggest impediment in Asia, and in the eyes of the CCP, must be put in its place. They also want to topple the US from its position as the world's premier country. Indian and US interests very sharply converge to the defeat of CCP. In that regard, any benefit we can draw from the Americans is to our advantage. But then that will come with costs and concessions. (Why? Because we lack the tech. Simple. Economic muscle power will be built with time, but tech takes a lot of blood sweat and tears) And the benefits will help us in dealing with the eventual big armed clash with the CCP.
7> What can we get from the US? a> Great military hardware, and some technologies that we need and can get after hard negotiations. b> Intel on Chinese. c> Geospatial data for accurate targeting and navigation. d> Manufacturing of high end goods by American companies in India. This will make its way to our companies as well. e> Better access of US markets for Indian goods. However, any frontline platform whose absence can cripple us and that can first come under the hammer of sanctions has to be avoided. Right now the most vulnerable here is the P8. Hence fighter jets should be avoided from the US. Having said that, an alliance here is of help, as long as its on mutually acceptable terms.
8> What can we get from Russia? a> Military hardware and technologies including knowhow and know why for those cases where tech is completely absent in house and no one else will share. Russians need cash, and we have it. As long as we negotiate right this should be doable. b> Assistance in getting the wheels of our MIC to roll. Only Russia can help us here. No other country can help as much as they can. For cash of course. c> Tabs on the Chinese (at a later point in time when Sino-Russian relations worsen.).
Overall, things look good for us. At this point, an alliance with the US is in our interest and if carefully leveraged will help us by leaps and bounds.
www.aninews.in
amp.dw.com
Now it's very easy. We have to be wary of US too.
