Unlike China, India's relationship with the United States is on the upswing. And unlike China, India could manage Eurpoean anger better when it comes to the conflict in Ukraine..

Xi has staked much on his relationship with Putin since the start of the Kremlin’s war more than two years ago, refusing to back away from the “no limits” partnership he declared with the Russian leader weeks before the invasion, while strengthening trade, security, and diplomatic ties.

Russia, erstwhile Soviet Union included, is the only relationship that  remained steady and promising for India since independence. The wear and tear that any long term relationship is known to sustain during a long period is not something that corroded the ties with both countries.

While India made it clear this is not an era of war, while not blaming Russia outrightly for the Ukraine conflict, Chinese position remained devoid of any nuances.

Ukriane situation also drew attention to China’s designs on the self-ruling democracy of Taiwan. An annual NATO report released Thursday reflected the bloc’s hardening line on China, with chief Jens Stoltenberg saying Beijing does “not share our values” and “challenges our interests,” while pointing to its increasing alignment with Moscow.

Meanwhile, India could continue to benefit  from continuing exchanges with Russia, especially through its purchase of discounted oil.

Since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin spent time on building the relationship. While defence ties remains at the core of the ties, the relationship has progressed in many spheres including trade, non defence technology cooperation, new frontiers in space ties, connectivity projects such as north South Corridor and other areas of mutual benefit.

Putin's re election will also have lessons for the existing global order that is riven at many parts led to the disappearing of many known cretanities.

Of course, Russian election was no contest. But Vladimir Putin’s ability to maintain his iron grip on power without a defeat despite mounting pressures of sanctions are sure indicators for the West to ponder over.

Putin presides over an economy that’s surviving  and a battlefield where his opponent has yet to see a decisive breakthrough admist signs of a Eurpoean fatigue over Ukraine.