Unfortunately Russia is a superpower only when it comes to the Military. As far as economic strength is concerned it is becoming a client state of China. I had witnessed this first hand in my stay in Russia. If you go outside Moscow or St. Petersburg, any new investment or industrial construction has chinese money all over it. Regions like Buryatya and Tuva are almost entirely dependent on chinese investment and trade. Mandarin is becoming the most popular foreign language in Russia and is overtaking demand for English classes. Russia is firmly in the Chinese camp and won't be a balancing force against it in either Central Asia or East Asia. They will only act against America, in military spheres.
Overall this whole situation is unfortunate. It is in India's best interests if Russia and America improve their relations and Russia and China maintain a little distance. And this could have happened of the American deep state didn't sabotage Trumps plan to do exactly that.
You have a very valid point there.
Chinese money is strewn everywhere in Asia.
It is unfortunate that we have still not learned to co-habitate with the Chinese even after all these years like the Russians have.
US and India are not natural allies. But India-Russia-China could have been. Unfortunately our myopic policy masters are always salivating at the thought of shaking hands and hugging yankee whiteskin. Hence we end up disappointing our true friend Russia, and our potential friend China.
Personally, I am for China-India neutrality pact, if not a friendship pact. These two powers living side by side for millennia should co-operate for a better world, not compete. However, the powers that be always thought otherwise. I also do not understand why after all these decades we are yet to resolve the border issues with China, especially since we have not exchanged bullets after 1967.
We should have no qualms in facing the truth. The truth is that India can never catch up with China in terms of economic development. They have truly outperformed the whole world in this category. It is no use, we might as well make peace with the facts.
I for one would not like to fight the Chinese if another world war breaks out. Would you?