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Ever since the BJP took the wheel in 2014, India has been seen in the United States. This change is clear in various domains, including defense, trade and strategic participation.
In 2016, India and the US signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), facilitating mutual support between their armed forces – with soldiers borrowing snacks with soldiers.
This was followed by the Communication Compatibility and Safety Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, which enabled secure communication between two terrorists, essentially a classified, high-day version of WhatsApp for the generals.
new friends
By 2020, the partnership was leveled with the basic exchange and cooperation agreement (BECA), which allows for sharing of geophysical intelligence information, because, of course, Google Maps does not cut it into military strategy just. Nevertheless, these agreements have considered military cooperation between the US and India.
And then India, America, Japan and Australia have a high-dot poker game. Its primary goal? Keeping an eye on China-Faculty-Flexing Naval Office Every time.
India and America now train their soldiers together, and their joint military exercises ‘Yudh Abhay’ are becoming so regular that they can soon start exchange of Diwali sweets and Christmas cakes. This exercise is an annual optional between the places of India and the US. The 20th edition of Yudh candidate 2024, from 9-22 September 2024 in Rajasthan. Six hundred soldiers of the Rajput Regiment and a similar number from the US 1-24 battalion of the 11th Airborn Division located in Alaska.
Business, also, is blooming. during Modi’s visit America in 2025, President Donald Trump India will buy more American oil, gas, and F -35 secretly bought fighters.
Refruiting Old ‘Druzba’
Left to feel, Russia Got look around the geo -political dance floor and found an unexpected partner – Pakistan – The same Pakistan which used to be America’s favorite sidekic during the Cold War. But Washington, like a playful lover, moved forward after melting, left Pakistan to rebound directly while waiting for Russia.
The two became serious with a defense cooperation agreement in 2014, and until 2018, they formed a joint military counselor committee (JMCC).
In the third round of JMCC held in Islamabad in September 2021, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander V foamin stated that “(both) sides interacted in the military sector dynamically praised beneficial relations and confirmed their intentions to strengthen military cooperation with maximum efficiency.” They have been on this.
Their annual Droopy (Friendship) Military exercise has been going on since 2016, where Russian and Pakistani soldiers Hold the hand and train together. Druzhba (Friendship) VII, the latest in the series, was held in October 2024 with the participation of Light Commando soldiers of the Pakistan Army and Russian military team at the National Counter-Terrorism Center, Pabi. Kavakaj 2020 organized by Russia, while not bilateral exercises, was another notable step in their military cooperation.
Russia began selling its new enthusiasm, even Pakistan Mi-35M attack helicopters, MI-171sh Transport Helicopters and Cornet-A-Anti-Tank Guided missiles, which led to a significant boost to its fighters. There have been reports of possible deals for Russian air defense systems.
Gives and takes
Pakistan’s first National Security Policy was unveiled by Prime Minister Imran Khan on 14 January 2022, resumeing the country’s (country’s) partnership with Russia. energyDefense cooperation, and investment ”. Soon after, on 23–24 February, Imran Khan traveled to a state visit to Russia. The Pakistani delegation barely investigated his hotel when the Russian army attacked Ukraine. Nevertheless, bilateral relations, trade and energy cooperation were discussed. Russia agreed to invest in the 1100-km, $ 2.5 billion Pakistan stream gas pipeline between Karachi and Kasur in Punjab-a project that is expected to be completed this year, which will help increase Pakistan’s growing energy needs.
After the devastating flood in 2022, Russia sent wheat supply to Pakistan. In May 2023, Pakistan and Russia signed a bilateral trade agreement, which aims to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and to reduce customs duty for Pakistani products.
Russia has set its places on Pakistan’s energy sector, it is eager to be friends who not only illuminated the lamps, but also supply oil to them.
In addition to joining hands on the Pakistan stream gas pipeline project, Moscow is set to become a Go-Two Oil Dealer in Islamabad.
First shipment – a modest 100,000 MT Russian crude – docked in Pakistan in June 2023, sealing an agreement that seems to please everyone except sanctions. In a delightful turn, Pakistan settled the bill in Chinese yuan, reflecting US sanctions. With a plan to import 3.6 million tonnes of crude oil annually, Pakistan is ready to keep the lights.
In September 2024, Pakistan hit black gold in its regional water – announced the discovery of heavy oil and gas reserves. Experts estimate that this discovery may convert Pakistan into special club of energy Titans. If the estimate is proved correct, Pakistan may soon drown in money instead of debt, and suddenly, every nation will remember how much they have always praised Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.
Of course, there is a small case of removing goods. Muhammad Arif, a member of the former oil and gas regulatory authority, said that to see how much it really is, it would be a cool of $ 5 billion. And if everything goes well, full scale extraction may take four to five years.
Three months after the announcement, in December 2024, Pakistan and Russia discussed the discovery of offshore oil and gas and cooperation in refinement.
Hard launch
In September 2024, Pakistan and Russia decided to make things official – again – by signing a memorandum, to promote trade, energy cooperation and regional connectivity, exchanging meaningful glimpses on all strong defense relations.
Plan? To make the business smooth, build roads and railways and – as a bonus – is a free trade agreement between Pakistan and Russia’s Economic Club, Eurasian Economic Association – including Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. But friendship does not stop on oil and trains.
The two countries dreamed of a vision of Pakistani and Russian universities, and – perhaps the most ambitious ideas of all – to encourage Pakistanis about learning Russian.
In October 2024, two agricultural companies from Russia and Pakistan signed barter deals for chickpeas and pulses trade from Russia instead of rice, Mandarin and potatoes – further furthering the Western financial sanctions.
Of course, neither India nor Pakistan is going to fully leave its old alliances. Pakistan still needs the US for trade and military support, and India is still counted on Russian weapons, no matter how F -35 it is.
As Winston Churchill once wisely said, “There is no friend of America, only interests.” India and Pakistan understand this completely. Both have mastered the delicate art of “running with Hare and hunting with hounds” – shaking hands with the other, smiling politely in a superpower.
And so, India and Pakistan walk with glittering between the grand geopolitical ballet, Moscow and Washington, trying to keep their partners busy while avoiding any unfortunate toe-steaming events.
(Akhil Bakshi, a writer and explorer, is a partner of the Royal Geographical Society and Explorers Club USA, and is the editor of ‘Indian Mountaineer’. He is also the founder of Bharanya Yuva Shakti, who is an organization, which ensures good leadership at the village level. The Quint Neither endors nor responsible for the same.)
