Why Russia's Preferred Partner Is India Rather Than China

Non-paper, also known as white paper, is a document that does not bear a governmental seal but aims to highlight key aspects of discussions.
The non-paper has identified several areas of engagement, one of which is defence, as India aspires to become a supplier of arms in that region. These Central Asian countries use Russian defence equipment, and India can supply locally manufactured parts.
As both countries are aware, China is emerging as one of the most influential players in Central Asia, and there is little Russia can do about it. This could be the reason why more practical areas for joint Indo-Russian engagement in the region have been identified, as the Chinese have made inroads, particularly by causing a debt crisis.
While Russian President Putin mentioned China several times in his recent year-end press conference, even saying he has a "very trusting personal relationship" with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Moscow is unwilling to give Beijing a clean slate in terms of regional presence or other geopolitical aspects.Because Russia knows it better that China, under the Jinping regime, considers countries as either junior partners or adversaries in its dealings with them, but both India and Russia hold each other in high regard.