The Russia-India partnership is a unique one. With converging geopolitical interests and an absence of bilateral disputes, the two countries have forged a long-standing relationship with minimal friction. Therefore, the Kremlin’s response was unsurprising when Pakistan-funded terrorists launched attacks in Pahalgam, claiming the lives of 26 civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to the victims of the attack and reiterated Moscow’s readiness to step up cooperation with India in the fight against terrorism. Similar sentiments were echoed in subsequent Russian statements. However, the incident also signals a slight shift in Moscow’s approach to the Indo-Pak calculus, suggesting a marked neutrality in Russia’s diplomatic stance between New Delhi and Islamabad. This shift appears to be influenced by the growing Russia-West contestation as well as regional geopolitical realignments, which have elevated Pakistan’s importance in Russia’s strategic outlook.
Russia’s Balancing Act: Navigating the Indo-Pak Rift Post-Pahalgam
