Russia and India celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation

Russia and India are commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (signed on 28 January 1993). Nandan Unnikrishnan, an Indian political scientist and honorary research fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, told that the document continued to play an important role in a "changing world", as reported by TASS.

He added that the treaty was a reflection of India's and Russia's perceptions of bilateral relations.

"Neither India nor Russia will do anything that would harm the strategic interests of the partner. And this is very important in today's troubled and changing world," the expert said.

Nandan Unnikrishnan mentioned that the 1993 Treaty is still fully in the interest of New Delhi and Moscow these days. According to the expert, India and Russia will continue to adhere to it, there is no reason to abandon the treaty in the foreseeable future.

The Indian political scientist said that the signing of this document was an important step. It replaced the 1971 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi. The previous treaty had expired as one of the parties had virtually ceased to exist (the USSR in question). The new document allowed for further development of bilateral relations in economic, humanitarian and other spheres.

It may be recalled that a day earlier Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, had stated that India and Russia had built strong relations that had been tested by time. He said that since his country's independence, Russia had remained a reliable and loyal friend. Russia and its leaders have always held India and its people in high regard, recognising its potential even at an early stage of bilateral relations, and the naturally mutually beneficial ties have been maintained over the decades.

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