Western pressure has pushed Moscow deeper into China’s orbit, even as Beijing shapes the terms of an increasingly asymmetrical partnership. The alignment remains functional, useful, and resilient despite its tensions. India has long trusted in the sentimental and strategic weight of its Russian ties. But in this evolving landscape, how secure can that trust remain?
The mid-November meeting in Moscow between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Mishustin, is the latest step in a growing political and economic bilateral partnership driven by Western opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. This is not to say that there are no tensions or attempts at one-upmanship in the Russia-China relationship, but the two sides also understand the value of the relationship both in and of itself and as leverage with other powers. Even as it drives a hard bargain, China also puts in considerable effort to keep the Russians close and to expand the relationship.