Russia's alliances at risk? Growing diplomatic tensions spark speculations

India and Russia, previously close allies, are experiencing tension in their bilateral relations due to India's decision to supply ammunition to Ukraine, as reported by Newsweek.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow back in July, declaring that his country was Moscow’s “trusted ally” and an “all-weather friend” for Russia, per Al Jazeera.

One month later, in August, Modi became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit Kyiv as part of a series of meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Although the Indian government denies such claim, Newsweek claims there has been reports that the South Asian nation has been supplying Ukraine with ammunition since 2023.

Al Jazeera writes that a Reuters investigation show shells produced in India being exported to Italy and Czechia, then routed into Ukraine.

“There is ample proof of Indian artillery shells being used by Ukrainian forces. There are even photographs to suggest that”, an anonymous Russian official told Al Jazeera.

India is one of Russia’s top trade allies, particularly in weapons, oil, electronics, and much more, the Indian embassy in Moscow notes. However, that could be on thin ice now.

Al Jazeera notes that India has been trying to play a peacemaking role between the governments of Kyiv and Moscow, but the arms trade into Ukraine could put that into question.

India is hardly the only ally of Moscow that has been growing distant since the Russian invasion of Ukraine broke out in February 2022.

Although China remains Russia’s biggest and most important ally on the international stage, the government led by Xi Jinping has insisted on reaching a peaceful resolution between Moscow and Kyiv.

Maybe Russia’s increasing isolation could force Putin to get into his senses? Sounds unlikely, but then again, the invasion of Ukraine didn’t seem a possibility until it happened.

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