On October 16, 2025, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) hosted a meeting between RIAC experts and Kanwal Sibal, President of Jawaharlal Nehru University, former First Deputy Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India (2002–2003), and former Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation (2004–2007).
During the meeting, participants discussed the key directions of India’s foreign policy and examined the dynamics of India’s bilateral relations with the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia in the context of a changing world order.
On October 16, 2025, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) hosted a meeting between RIAC experts and Kanwal Sibal, President of Jawaharlal Nehru University, former First Deputy Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India (2002–2003), and former Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation (2004–2007).
During the meeting, participants discussed the key directions of India’s foreign policy and examined the dynamics of India’s bilateral relations with the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia in the context of a changing world order.
A significant part of the conversation was devoted to the state and prospects of India–China relations. Although both countries aim to strengthen economic cooperation and support the development of a multipolar world order, the bilateral agenda is complicated by unresolved border disputes.
Participants also exchanged views on the factors behind the deterioration of U.S.–India relations. While the United States remains India’s largest investor and trading partner, Washington’s attempts to exert diplomatic and economic pressure to limit India’s engagement with other partners, including Moscow, have raised concerns in New Delhi. Kanwal Sibal noted that the unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy hinders the establishment of a constructive dialogue between the two countries.
The discussion also focused on Russia–India relations. Ambassador Sibal emphasized that maintaining and further strengthening ties with Russia a crucial factor in ensuring India’s strategic autonomy. Russian experts highlighted the potential of technological cooperation as one of the key areas for deepening economic collaboration.
From the Russian side, participants included:
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Anvar Azimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Integration Processes, MGIMO University
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Tatyana Shaumyan, Head of the Center for Indian Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)
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Lidia Kulik, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Indian Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS, and Head of the India Studies Program at the SKOLKOVO School of Management
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Igor Istomin, Head of the Department of Applied Analysis of International Issues, MGIMO University
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Olga Kharina, Associate Professor at the School of Asian Studies, HSE University, and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia, RAS
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Anastasia Pyatachkova, Deputy Head of the Asia-Pacific Sector, Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, HSE University
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Maria Savishcheva, Junior Research Fellow, South Asia and Indian Ocean Group, IMEMO RAS
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Yulia Melnikova, RIAC Program Manager
