INDIA -WAR- RUSSIA 

Context 

Key Points 

• The Indian PM has steadfastly stayed away from criticising Putin and has articulated what is music to the ears of Western powers.
• Russian President Putin, however, has decided on "Partial Mobilisation".
• He moves to mobilize as many as 3 lakh reservists individuals who have completed their mandatory conscript service comes at a time when Ukrainian and Russian forces are locked in battles over territory in eastern and south-eastern parts of Ukraine.
• Russia's partial mobilization will thus not deprive Ukraine of the opportunity to liberate more of its occupied territory into and through the winter.
• The Russian President's gambit along with a thinly-veiled nuclear threat has raised alarm inside Russia as well.
  TASS was reported and investigated by the authorities for discrediting the Russian Army.

• At a time when India is dependent on Russia for 60 to 70 per cent of its defence requirements, Russian arms supplies might be under stress, worry Indian officials.
• This has been flagged earlier by Western officials, which has been downplayed by New Delhi.
• But, as the Russian army is seemingly struggling to get more men, the worry is getting bigger for Delhi.
• It is not yet clear how many of these reservists are fit to fight or have enough weapons.
• From India's perspective, the message to Moscow is loud and clear end the war and get back to business-as-usual.
• A long the LAC in eastern Ladakh, obliquely referring to the stalemate at Depsang plains and Charding La nullah in Demchok.
• For the first time, as Delhi braces for the third winter with about 60, 000 troops mobilised along the India-China border and defence supplies from Moscow looking weak and stretched, some in Delhi feel that it is in India's interest as well that in Delhi feel that it India's interest as well that the war in Ukraine must end quickly.
• From Delhi's perspective, PM Modi has not said anything new. But, framing it publicly is a powerful message that Delhi needs Moscow to ensure a resilient and reliable supply chain for its defence needs.
• So, from Indira Gandhi to Narendra Modi, the message to their  Russian counterparts about abandoning war has been somewhat consistent, as it has been in India's interest in strategic cooperation with Russia from space to defence.

For Prelims & Mains