What does the Russia-China strategic convergence mean for India?
Chinese President Xi Jinping last week hosted a reception for Vladimir Putin at the historic Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two-day summit was marked by a lengthy joint statement that, among other things, said that China and Russia will promote \u201can equal and orderly multipolar world\u201d. The statement also outlined a vision of a new world order with \u201cno neo-colonialism and hegemonism\u201d of any kind.\nThe two countries took aim at the US, criticising unilateral sanctions and what they termed \u2018long-arm jurisdiction\u2019 without basis in international law or UN Security Council authorisation. The statement also highlighted the expansion of Russia-China ties beyond \u201copportunistic\u201d bilateral cooperation to one of deeper partnership.\nWhat are the implications of this growing strategic convergence between two major powers, both of whom are veto-holding Security Council members? Can China balance Western concerns about its aid to Russia, especially dual-use technology? What are the implications of this friendship for India, which views China as a geopolitical rival and military threat, but is highly dependent on Russia for defence imports?\nG. Sampath is joined by Jabin T Jacob, Associate Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Shiv Nadar University.