GS Paper II · Global Relations
India-Russia Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests; effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests; Indian diaspora; important international institutions
Why it matters: Traditional defense ties and energy dependencies require a nuanced understanding of how India maintains strategic autonomy amidst shifting global superpower rivalries.
In the news
October 2026
05 Oct 2026
India Engages Russia and Ukraine on Food Security and Maritime SafetyExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed ongoing discussions with both Moscow and Kyiv to support agreements on grain supply chains and Black Sea maritime navigation safety. Addressing global strategic dynamics, he advocated...
04 Oct 2026
India Outlines Active Role in Addressing Russia-Ukraine ConflictExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India is operating beyond simple advocacy in addressing the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He emphasized the historical context of India-Russia ties, noting Russia's long standing support...
September 2026
05 Sep 2026
India Deepens Diplomatic Outreach on the Russia-Ukraine ConflictExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized India's active engagement with both Russia and Ukraine during his high-level diplomatic visits to Kyiv and Warsaw. Reaffirming India's stance that solutions cannot emerge from the...
August 2026
16 Aug 2026
Small Modular Reactors to Power India's Energy TransitionUnder new nuclear rules and a targeted 100 GW nuclear capacity goal, India is exploring collaborations that could favour Moscow's Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. The push for clean, reliable power is driven by the soaring...
July 2026
25 Jul 2026
India Settles 15 Billion Dollars of Russian Oil Imports in RupeesIndia has settled oil imports worth 15 billion US dollars in Indian Rupees over a three-month period as its purchases of Russian crude soared. This move reflects India's efforts to bypass western sanctions and international transaction...
10 Jul 2026
Russia's share in Indian oil imports crosses 40 percentDespite premium pricing, Russia's share of India's oil imports rose above 40 percent in May 2026. Data also reveals that India has resumed importing crude oil from Iran and Venezuela to diversify its energy sources amidst global supply...
Practise India-Russia
6 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 6
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently stated that India is operating 'beyond advocacy' regarding which ongoing geopolitical situation?
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.