Russia sponsored CSTO willing to accept India as a partner country: cla

Moscow/New Delhi: – Russian officials claimed that the Russian-sponsored Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is ready to accept India as an observer or partner country. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov and Russia’s Permanent Representative to the CSTO Mikael Agasandian made statements. Countries that were a part of the Soviet Union (USSR) are members of the CSTO and the increasing Chinese influence in these countries is a cause of concern for Russia. Therefore, these statements by the senior Russian officials indicate that Russia is taking the initiative to increase cooperation between India and the central Asian countries.

India had formed the association of the Non-aligned nations remaining neutral when the US-USSR cold war was at its peak. But the cold war ended with the disintegration of the USSR. But now, the United States and Russia again have adopted a stance for conflict with each other. The tensions created over Ukraine point to the same thing. The United States wants India not to side with Russia in this situation. The US National Security Advisor recently warned China that it would face dire consequences if it stood with Russia on the Ukraine issue. The United States has still not issued an ultimatum to India. But the United States is giving indications that it will not be tolerated if India stands with Russia opposing the United States-NATO combine.

Against this background, the statements made by the Russian officials regarding India become significant. During an interview a few days ago, the new Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, said that Russia desires the ties between India and the central Asian countries to become stronger. ‘India, the biggest country in South Asia, is a high priority for Russia. The increasing cooperation between India and the Central Asian countries and CSTO could become a game-changer. Improved Indian relations with the CSTO will be a matter of satisfaction for Russia. Filipov pointed out that India and the central Asian countries have already been established.

Following this, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the CSTO Mikael Agasandian said that if India made efforts to become an observer or partner in the organisation, the CSTO would consider the offer. He said that India is an important power on the international level and said that India also has interests in the European region.

A virtual meeting was held between India and the central Asian countries only last month. The Russian statements following that, regarding Collective Security Treaty Organisation, are important. While the India-China and Russia US relations are strained, this cooperation has gained major strategic importance. The Taliban coming to power in Afghanistan also poses a threat to Indian and Russian security. Citing this, Russia has claimed that the interests of India, Russia and the central Asian countries regarding Afghanistan are the same.