India and Russia have shared a historically strong relationship, rooted in the Cold War era when the Soviet Union consistently backed India on key geopolitical issues.
In the 1950s, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev famously declared his country’s unwavering support for India.
During critical moments — such as the Kashmir debates in the United Nations, the Soviet Union stood firmly by India, using its veto power multiple times (in 1957, 1962, 1971) to block international intervention and label Kashmir as a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.
Even during India's military action in Goa in 1961 to end Portuguese colonial rule, the Soviet Union defended India at the UN. After the USSR's collapse, Russia maintained this trust and support, especially on sensitive territorial matters like Kashmir.
However, in recent conflicts between India and Pakistan, Russia has refrained from offering overt support.
This shift can be attributed to several geopolitical factors, including Russia's effort to balance ties with both India and Pakistan, its deepening relationship with China, and its preoccupation with the Ukraine war.
Moreover, the global diplomatic landscape has changed, pushing Russia to adopt a more neutral stance publicly — even if its historical alignment with India remains significant behind closed doors.
