Another sign of India tilting away from the West and toward Eastern powers

MUMBAI—Since independence from Great Britain in 1947, India has had three successive aircraft carriers. The latest one—officially dedicated on June 14—came from a source quite different from the previous two, which reveals a dramatic shift in India’s geopolitical tilt.

The country’s first carrier—called ins Vikrant—was purchased from the British Royal Navy in 1957 and started service in the Indian Navy in 1961. She carried British Hawker Sea Hawk fighter bombers and British Westland helicopters. After a distinguished service, she was decommissioned in January 1997.

The second, also purchased from the British and equipped with British-made armaments, was the Viraat. It entered the Indian Navy in 1987 and is scheduled to serve till 2020. This is more than twice the sailing life of a carrier of this class.

Then, on June 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated India’s latest warship aircraft carrier, the ins Vikramaditya, to the country. Unlike the previous two models, the Vikramaditya comes from Russia.

Modi took to Twitter to express his delight about the dedication.

Addition of INS Vikramaditya will add tremendous might to our Navy. I congratulate all officials of the Indian Navy on this historic day. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014

The new carrier will operate the Russian MiG-29K, the Indian-made hal Dhruv helicopter and some aging Sea Harriers. The ship is powered by four turbine engines, has a range of 8,000 nautical miles, and can carry 160 officers, 1,400 sailors and 30 aircraft.

The Indian Navy traditionally has been modeled after the Royal Navy (as have the navies of Canada, Australia and New Zealand), and it has cooperated closely with the British for over 60 years. Before the establishment of the National Defense Academy, Indian Naval officer cadets trained with the Royal Navy in Dartmouth for four years and returned as sub lieutenants.

India’s decision to buy its latest carrier from Russia is just the latest indication of Delhi’s tilt away from Britain, the U.S. and the West toward Eastern powers. India’s fast-moving lean toward Asia is part of a seismic geopolitical shift underway. To understand its significance, read “Results of Largest Election in Human History Mean India-Russia-China Ties Will Advance.”