Congress leader and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate recently attributed the strong and ongoing relationship between India and Russia to the diplomatic groundwork laid by former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. In a public statement addressing current geopolitical ties, she said, “Today Russia stands with India because of Nehru and Indira Gandhi's foreign policy.”
Shrinate’s comment comes amid growing discussion over India’s foreign policy approach in light of global tensions and shifting alliances. While speaking to the media, she argued that the foundation of India’s strategic autonomy and balanced international relations was laid during the early decades of post-independence governance, largely under the Congress leadership.
“India’s consistent ties with Russia, even during complex geopolitical periods like the Cold War, were built on mutual respect and long-term strategic vision. This was possible because leaders like Nehru believed in non-alignment and pursued independent foreign policy decisions,” Shrinate said.
She also referred to Indira Gandhi’s leadership during critical events, such as the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1971, which further strengthened bilateral cooperation across defense, technology, and diplomacy. The treaty played a crucial role during the Bangladesh Liberation War, when India received significant diplomatic and military support from the Soviet Union.
According to Shrinate, these historical decisions continue to yield benefits for India, particularly in maintaining friendly ties with Russia despite recent international challenges and shifting power dynamics. She contrasted this with what she described as a “lack of strategic clarity” in contemporary foreign policy under the current government.
Her remarks have sparked political debate, with leaders from other parties criticizing the Congress for taking credit for India’s current international positioning. However, foreign policy experts have acknowledged that India’s relationship with Russia does have deep historical roots and has remained largely stable across different administrations.
India and Russia continue to collaborate closely in areas such as defense procurement, energy partnerships, and space research. While India has diversified its global partnerships in recent decades, its relationship with Russia remains significant, especially in matters of defense technology and energy security.
Supriya Shrinate also emphasized the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy free from excessive alignment with any one global power. “The legacy of non-alignment must be protected and adapted to modern realities,” she added, urging the government to approach global affairs with balance and foresight.
The Congress party has often highlighted its role in shaping India’s early foreign policy architecture. With global relations becoming increasingly complex, such historical narratives are likely to continue influencing political discussions.
As the geopolitical landscape evolves, India’s past diplomatic choices continue to be invoked by leaders across the political spectrum to explain or critique present-day international strategies.
