On September 8, 2022, the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), based in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, hosted a conversation between Russia’s Ambassador to India, Mr Denis Alipov and Dr Jaimini Bhagwati, Distinguished Fellow, CSEP and former Indian Ambassador to the European Union. The discussion centred on “India’s Economic-Classified Ties with Russia and Prognosis about the Conflict in Ukraine”.   

The conversation began by recalling Russia-India technological-economic cooperation over the years. On collaboration in generating nuclear power, Ambassador Alipov mentioned that the Kudankulam project is a “landmark” for collaboration between India and Russia and that the world needs clean and reliable nuclear power.  

Speaking about defence sector cooperation, Ambassador Alipov referred to the possibility that MiG-29K fighter aircraft and helicopters could be onboard the INS Vikrant. Mr Alipov remarked that India is a major defence partner for Russia. The discussion also referred to the hitherto relatively limited trade and investment ties between India and Russia.  

Ambassador Alipov, in explaining Russia’s reasons for the current conflict in Ukraine, said “we have been accused of unjustified and unprovoked aggression and that is wrong on both accounts” and he provided Russia’s perspective to substantiate this statement. On the West’s reaction to the on-going hostilities in Ukraine, Ambassador Alipov remarked that “it has clearly become a conflict between us and NATO. Ukraine has become a tool.”  

This conversation was recorded on September 8, 2022.  

Read the transcript.

All content reflects the individual views of the speakers. The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) does not hold an institutional view on any subject.