Just like India doesn’t want to become dependent on the US by dumping Russia, Russia also doesn’t want to become dependent on China by dumping India, both scenarios of which could lead to the bifurcation of International Relations between China and the US if they become their junior partners. The traditional military and newfound energy ties that characterize the Russian-Indian Strategic Partnership guarantee that neither considers surrendering their sovereignty to either superpower.
"...which is something that many Westerners struggle to understand."
In this context, "...[relying on each] other to maintain their multi-alignment policy..."
perhaps easiest to think of it like any four people who enjoy a friends' relationship: give and take, push and pull; one day one guy's OK, the next day his breath stinks... It's really hard to tell people their breath stinks, you know? That's what friends are for.
Yeah, you're right.
"...which is something that many Westerners struggle to understand."
In this context, "...[relying on each] other to maintain their multi-alignment policy..."
perhaps easiest to think of it like any four people who enjoy a friends' relationship: give and take, push and pull; one day one guy's OK, the next day his breath stinks... It's really hard to tell people their breath stinks, you know? That's what friends are for.