"India, China, and Russia: Navigating Fragile Defence Ties"

India and Russia have agreed to strengthen their defense partnership, acknowledging their unique and long-lasting relationship. India, the world's largest arms importer, depends on Russia for nearly half its military supplies, but the war in Ukraine has held up supplies of Russian spares critical for India to maintain its tank and fighter jet fleets. Despite criticism from Western leaders, India has increased its trade with Moscow to a record high, driven largely by the import of Russian oil.