Russian propaganda is strong among older generation in India, expert says
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Russian propaganda in India is strong among the older generation of politicians. The younger generation is more pragmatic, according to Swasti Rao, Associate Fellow at the Europe and Eurasia Center, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses in India.
The popularity of Russian propaganda is explained by historical ties that were formed during the Soviet era.
“It is true that Russian propaganda is very strong in the rest of the world generally because Russia was a very trusted partner from Soviet Union times. It has helped India in the 1971 war against Pakistan. And like I also said because we have so much weapon dependence on Russia,” the expert said.
According to her, this is why Russian propaganda is attractive to the older generation of bureaucrats and politicians. She also added that for this reason, “the love for Russia is very much.”
But the geopolitical situation is changing. India is now increasingly focused on cooperation with the West.
“But I think, when it comes to more hardcore issues of foreign policy, of national interest, geopolitics has completely changed. And today, while we would like to have our relationship with Russia maintained, but today the West is more important for India,” she added.
Russian propaganda in India is popular when it comes to Russia's war against Ukraine, in particular the claim that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is "a stooge by the US."
Russian propaganda in India also supports the narrative that “the West should drop its support to Ukraine, and Ukraine should drop its pursuit of NATO, and everything will be fine."
“And those of us who work in the security theater know that it is not about this. It is about the complete subjugation of Ukraine. And the Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom, and every country has a right for it,” Rao said.
She reminded that India has always supported the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
“So I think I would agree that Russian propaganda is indeed strong. But like I said, Prime Minister Modi's visit actually started this process of de-hyphenation (it is a form of foreign policy where a country keeps diplomatic ties with two or more countries with conflicting interests, without letting the conflicts prioritize one country over another - ed.)," the expert added.
According to her, this process means that India is now trying to play a greater role in Ukraine's reconstruction.
Read also why India has reduced weapon supplies from Russia.
Meanwhile, the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has previously reported that India continues to strengthen economic ties with Russia.
