Russia to Join India’s Sudarshan Chakra Project?

Russia is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s ambitious Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a multi-layered air defense system unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address, according to Russian Chargé d’Affaires Roman Babushkin. “We proceed from the understanding that Russian equipment will be part of it,” Babushkin stated at a media briefing, signaling Moscow’s intent to deepen defense ties with New Delhi. The project, aimed at creating a robust shield against aerial threats by 2035, builds on the success of India’s Russian-supplied S-400 systems, nicknamed “Sudarshan Chakra,” which thwarted Pakistani drone and missile attacks during Operation Sindoor in May.

Babushkin emphasized Russia’s commitment to India amid strained US-India relations, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, which constitutes 35% of India’s oil imports in 2024-25, up from 1.7% in 2019-20. He called US pressure “unjustified,” arguing that sanctions harm global economic stability. “If the West criticizes you, it means you’re doing everything right,” he quipped, dismissing claims that India should halt Russian oil purchases. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has defended its energy procurement as driven by national interest, noting that China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, faces no similar tariffs.

The diplomat highlighted the growing India-Russia partnership, with bilateral trade surging sevenfold in recent years, targeting $100 billion by 2030. Russia is ready to absorb Indian exports hit by US tariffs, Babushkin added, reinforcing Moscow’s role as India’s “partner of choice” for military hardware, including the S-400, which downed five Pakistani fighters and an AWACS aircraft during Operation Sindoor. Discussions are underway to expedite the delivery of two remaining S-400 squadrons by 2026, despite Western sanctions complicating payments.

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Babushkin also underscored Russia’s interest in co-developing advanced systems under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, which integrates the S-400 with indigenous platforms like Project Kusha, aiming to rival or surpass global systems like Israel’s Iron Dome. As BRICS economies, with a combined GDP of $77 trillion, outpace the G7’s $57 trillion, Babushkin sees the bloc as a stabilizing force, further cementing India-Russia collaboration. With President Vladimir Putin’s India visit looming, both nations are set to strengthen their strategic alliance, defying external pressures.

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