[ta_vf7xjd34cc]

> what is the geopolitical benefit they are getting by engaging in this?

It is an open, yet officially unstated, policy of the Indian government since the 1950s that the USSR/Russia must never be put in a position wherein it fully tilts towards China.

India, China and Russia are the three powers on the Asian continent. A 2v1 situation would be catastrophic for India. Sensible people in power in the West may not agree with the India, but they understand this. Arm chair generals on social media and those writing for Western media outlets do not.

[NickC25]

Fascinating, and thanks for the response! I did not know that, but it makes a lot of sense. India would be in a tough spot if China and Russia had a much closer relationship, especially as China and India don't really get along that well. So India needs to strengthen its relationship with Russia by any means necessary in order to have Russia in their corner as opposed to Russia being in China's corner.

There's a lot of nuance to geopolitics, clearly!

[JumpCrisscross]

> India needs to strengthen its relationship with Russia by any means necessary in order to have Russia in their corner as opposed to Russia being in China's corner

India is also a massive importer of energy. 30% above the price cap is still cheaper than market.

On dividing Beijing and Moscow, I think the ship has sailed. Russia is increasingly dependent on China. The leadership in Moscow is beholden to Xi in a way that has no historic comparison. If China initiated military action against India, Russia is no longer in a position to say no.

[seanmcdirmid]

It gets even more confusing: the USA is traditionally more allied with Pakistan, India's biggest enemy, and we know American jet fighters perform better than Russian ones given the wars the two countries have had (Pakistan has lots of F16s, India has lots of migs). Pakistan is also a fairly strong ally of China...so...lots of nuanced geopolitics going on.

[petre]

The war in Afghanistan is over, the US doesn't need a Pakistan who's in bed with China anymore. They'll safely ignore India's dealings with Russian oil while doing exercises with Quad states to countner China-Russia "no-limits" partnership along with their puppet, the DPRK.

[seanmcdirmid]

The USA's relationship with Pakistan far precedes the war in Afghanistan.

[pomstazlesa]

> Arm chair generals on social media and those writing for Western media outlets do not. As opposed to those writing for Eastern media outlets, right?

[op00to]

Thanks for explaining that. It makes perfect sense!