Page 12 - The Indian EYE 012822

OpINION JANUARY 21, 2022 | The Indian Eye 12

Indian Army and U.S. Army personnel practice Arctic survival and assault training in extreme
cold weather conditions on the snow-covered peaks of the Chugach mountain range in the final The 5th edition of Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise,
phase of the Ex Yudh Abhyas 2021, in Alaska on Thursday. (ANI) EXERCISE KAZIND-21 culminated at Training Node Aisha Bibi. (ANI)

it becomes extremely important for companies have identified energy,
India to have such an agreement as transport and logistics, maritime con-
RELOS in conclusion with its tradi- nectivity, diamond processing, forest-
tional strategic partner, Russia. ry, pharmaceuticals and healthcare,
tourism and humanitarian fields as
STrATeGIC CoUNTerWeIGHTS key areas of future cooperation in
India has signed logistics agree- the Russian Far East. Calling Vlad-
ments with all its partner Quad coun- ivostok a true Sangam, Prime Minis-
tries. Though Russia is openly criti- ter Modi has also called for develop-
cal of the Quad and has maintained ing Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime
distance from the alliance, RELOS Corridor (CVMC) by connecting the
could strategically act as counter- ports of Chennai, Visakhapatnam
weight leverage to both India and and Kolkata to that with Vladivo-
Russia in the Indo-Pacific. The sim- stok, Vostochny and Olga on the east
ilar lines on which RELOS would coast of Russia.
enable the Indian Navy’s reach in Once fully implemented, CVMC
the Russian Far East and the Arctic will enhance bilateral trade between
region, it would also provide logistics Major Russian Naval Ports the two countries to significant levels
support and easy access of required and it will also serve as an extension
facilities to the Russian Navy via In- to NSR up till the Indian Ocean Re-
dian naval ports and military bases could take Russian vision of GEP ment such as RELOS would offer gion. Therefore, RELOS at the cen-
located in the Indian Ocean. RE- further from Vladivostok to Indian tremendous support and opportuni- ter of this would enhance strategic
LOS in a way, without involving Rus- Ocean and the Indian vision till the ties to India in the Arctic. While In- cooperation between India and Rus-
sia in the Quad, would facilitate and Russian high north. dia develops its polar-capable infra- sia. It would act as an important ex-
strengthen Russian naval presence in structure to support its interest in the isting mechanism to promote future
the Indo-Pacific to any future hostile CoNCLUSIoN Arctic, RELOS would significantly manoeuvres of both the countries in
scenarios in the region. Enhanced The bilateral relationship be- enable India to undertake its Arctic the Arctic and the Indian Ocean Re-
naval cooperation between India tween India and Russia has grown operations with Russian assistance. gion in times to come.
and Russia through RELOS would and matured over time, and needs Russia has called for rapidly
not only act as a counterweight to to be carried forward in existing and developing Arctic infrastructure to Bipandeep Sharma is a Research
increasing US strategic posturing in new areas of mutual interest. The enabling year-round shipping along Analyst at the Manohar Parrikar
the region, but for Russia, it will also Arctic offers tremendous opportu- the NSR. Moscow has also agreed Institute for Defence Studies and
balance the strategic power equa- nities for enhancing this cooperation for supplying oil and gas to India Analyses, New Delhi.
tion with its evolving partner China at the helm of which RELOS could at a “preferential pricing” and ship Views expressed are of the author and
in the region. It can also be argued act as perfect leverage. India has very them via the northern Arctic route. do not necessarily reflect the views of
that India’s approach to Indo-Pacific limited polar infrastructure and ship- India’s support to develop NSR and the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the
closely resembles to that of Russia’s ping capabilities to operate in the its call for turning it into an interna- Government of India.
conceptual approach of Greater Eur- Arctic waters. Russia on the other tional trade artery show the country’s
asian Partnership (GEP) through hand is the only country in the world serious interests in the emerging This is the abridged version of the
which Russia aims to strengthen its that maintains a strong dominance connectivity routes of the region. article which appeared first in the
geo-economic and geopolitical posi- over Arctic shipping and other polar Under India’s Act East Policy, India Comment section of the website (www.
tioning from Lisbon to Vladivostok. infrastructure capabilities required has promised a US$ 1 billion Line of idsa.in) of Manohar Parrikar Institute
Strengthening India–Russia partner- to operate in the region. Therefore, Credit for the development of Rus- for Defense Studies and Analyses, New
ship on framework such as RELOS partnering with Russia via an agree- sian Far East. Indian and Russian Delhi on January 15, 2022

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