India-Russia: News & Analysis

The Strategic Issues & International Relations Forum is a venue to discuss issues pertaining to India's security environment, her strategic outlook on global affairs and as well as the effect of international relations in the Indian Subcontinent. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by ramana »

kit and habal we can follow up in Indian interests thread....
Parasu
BRFite
Posts: 381
Joined: 04 Dec 2017 14:18

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Parasu »

So what is the price of Russian LNG that India is paying?
bahdada
BRFite
Posts: 164
Joined: 27 Nov 2008 19:50

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by bahdada »

Parasu wrote:So what is the price of Russian LNG that India is paying?
I believe they are paying us, as It's not Yanqui.
In fact the gas is so pure, Modi will be renaming the PMUY scheme to Putin Mitron Ujwala Yojana.
Suresh S
BRFite
Posts: 857
Joined: 25 Dec 2008 22:19

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Suresh S »

Great analysis by habal.
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Philip »

There was a apiece about how trade US sanctions against Russia and China could bring them closer together,it is happening,and the same warning by its own people at the top not to harass India on its ties with Russia,milware purchases,etc.lest it turn towards Russia and China too. India at the SCO as a full member will strengthen the grouping and perhaps cat as a catalyst for more Asian nations currently independent in thought and action to gravitate towards a potential triad-led coalition of the willing
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

TASS: Interview with Indian Ambassador to Russia , Pankaj Saran

http://tass.ru/opinions/interviews/5274171[quote]

- Mr. Ambassador, in late May in Sochi, the first ever informal summit was held in the history of Russian-Indian relations. What was the reason for the convocation of an extraordinary meeting?


- I would call this summit a historic event. For the first time, most of the time, President Putin and Prime Minister Modi spent without delegations, in an informal atmosphere. They visited the children's educational center "Sirius", the cultural and ethnographic center in Krasnaya Polyana and held very productive negotiations. This summit showed a special warmth in the relations of the two leaders.

The convening of the extraordinary meeting was due to the fact that the parties wanted to exchange views on key global and regional issues, including the development of the situation in Afghanistan, Syria and Iran, as well as to consider some bilateral issues. Today, relations between Russia and India are important not only for ourselves, but also for the regions where our countries are located, as well as the entire world community. And we want to build a multipolar world, where India and Russia will contribute to global stability.

- In a statement of the Indian Foreign Ministry following the talks, it was noted that the parties agreed to intensify consultations and coordination on the issues of the Indo-Pacific region (TIR). How could you comment on this given that Russian officials have criticized the concept of engineering in the light of the resumption of the quadrilateral strategic dialogue between the United States, India, Japan and Australia?


- It is important not to confuse the Indo-Pacific region and the quadrilateral format. The essence of the concept of engineering was laid out by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the security conference "Shangri-la Dialogue" on June 1 in Singapore. The Indian vision of the ITP is positive. The concept is open and inclusive, it is not directed against any country and is not aimed at deterrence.

An expanding partnership with Russia is an integral part of our Indo-Pacific policy. Speaking in Singapore, the Prime Minister mentioned that during their meeting with President Putin they discussed the importance of establishing a lasting multi-polar world. He also noted that the maturity of a particularly privileged strategic partnership with Russia is evidence of India's "strategic autonomy".

The US-Japan-India-Australia quadrilateral format is one of many multilateral dialogues in the region that is not directed against anyone. It is not part of the concept of the Indo-Pacific region, about which the Prime Minister spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

- Have the S-400 SAM systems been discussed at an informal summit on the supply of SAMs to India? Can pressure from the US influence contract negotiations?

- The topic of the PTS was discussed at a meeting of the leaders. We are committed to all our agreements in this area, including the purchase of the S-400. India and Russia have a long history of military-technical cooperation, based on trust and mutual benefit. There have been no changes in New Delhi's approach to this area of ​​our partnership.

- Is it possible to expect the signing of an agreement on the supply of S-400 at the summit at the end of the year?


- I would not like to set a time frame. I can say that we have made significant progress in the negotiations.

- Previously, the media reported that India withdrew from the joint project with Russia to build a fifth generation FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) fighter. Can you confirm this?

- I can only say that the negotiations are continuing, thanks to which there is already a clearer understanding of each other's priorities and plans for the future.

- Is the date of the annual bilateral summit agreed?


- The dates have not yet been announced, but we expect the summit to be held in October in India.

- What other meetings are planned in the coming months?


"Prior to the 19th annual summit, we expect to hold meetings of intergovernmental commissions on trade, economic, military and military-technical cooperation, as well as working groups within these commissions. Other meetings are possible at a high level. The leaders of Russia and India will meet at various multilateral venues, including the G20, the SCO, the BRICS and the East Asian Summit. This year will also host the first Russian-Indian summit on innovation and start-ups.

India and Russia have a long history of military-technical cooperation, based on trust and mutual benefit

In addition, we will launch a strategic economic dialogue between the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and the National Institute of Transformation of India (NITI Aayog). This is a new initiative, an agreement on which was reached at the summit in late May. Unlike intergovernmental commissions, where practical issues are resolved, the priorities of economic policies of both countries, macroeconomic issues, strategic priorities of bilateral cooperation, including agriculture, finance, infrastructure, small and medium business will be discussed in the dialogue. One of the challenges remains insufficient attention to the economic component of our partnership. We hope that dialogue will help to solve this problem.

- Are the dates and venue of the dialogue already determined? Who will lead the Russian and Indian delegations?


- Now we are working on its format and agenda. If all the preparatory work is completed, the dialogue will take place until the next summit, most likely in St. Petersburg.

We expect that from the Indian side the dialogue will be headed by the vice-chairman of the National Institute of the Transformation of India Rajiv Kumar. It should be noted that the chairman of the Institute is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that is, this is a very high level. It is planned that the Russian side will be headed by the Minister of Economic Development Maxim Oreshkin.

- How do you assess the dynamics of the development of Russian-Indian economic relations in the current year?


- I think that the dynamics was positive. The Minister of Trade and Industry of India, Suresh Prabhu, took part in the SPIEF. In the course of productive meetings with the Vice-Premier - Plenipotentiary Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far East Federal District Yuri Trutnev, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Oreshkin, Transport Minister Yevgeny Dietrich, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, the parties identified promising areas for further development of cooperation, such as agriculture, fertilizers, mineral resources, gold mining, diamond industry, civil aircraft construction, etc. We also would like to cooperate in the field of transport and logistics and invite Russian companies participate in the construction of industrial corridors in India.

Regarding the energy sector, I would like to note that India the other day received the first LNG lot for a long-term contract for the supply of 2.85 million tonnes of LNG per year. This is a historic stage in the creation of an energy bridge between India and Russia.

According to our data, last year bilateral trade increased by 20%. This growth was mainly due to an increase in exports from Russia to India of petroleum products, fertilizers, as well as equipment for nuclear power plants.

- I would like to raise the issue of the construction of the Ruppur NPP in Bangladesh. In what form will India participate in the project? Do Moscow and Delhi consider the possibility of implementing other joint projects in third countries?


- The tripartite agreement deals with various options for India's participation in the Ruppur NPP project, including training of personnel, participation in construction work, supply of equipment, and security. Companies will have to negotiate in order to decide in which form the cooperation will be implemented. As for the second question, the answer is yes. The two sides agree that India and Russia can work together in third countries in various fields, including nuclear energy and oil and gas. Negotiations are still at the initial stage.

Interviewed by Leyla Turayanova
[/quote]


Подробнее на ТАСС:
http://tass.ru/opinions/interviews/5274171
Avarachan
BRFite
Posts: 567
Joined: 04 Jul 2006 21:06

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Avarachan »

Rudradev wrote:There is something specific about the S-X00 ADS that makes the US cr@p its pants.

Remember how they freaked out and screamed "red line" when there was even a chance that S-300 may get sold to Syria or Iran.

And right now it's specifically the S-400 sale that's being cited by the US in its threatening noises against India. They haven't moaned about BrahMos, FGFA, even nuclear submarines, but this system for some reason is of massive concern to them.

I think the truth is (and they know it)... the S-400 can quite reliably swat any Western 5th-gen moochine, F35/F22/EuroFighter/Rafale etc. out of the sky like macchhars. Not to speak of CMs and BMs. It puts a major hole in US/NATO control of escalation matrices because airstrikes and SLCM are among the first punitive military measures they resort to in their global policing.

In a sense it is as "destabilizing" to their threat matrix as India getting nukes. They're OK with China having nukes, and China having S-400 because their plans preclude any attempt to do an Iraq/Libya/Syria to China. But for India that IS an option they want to preserve. When we get the S-400 it's fundamentally disruptive to their calculus.
Rudradev, one curious thing I've noticed over the years is this. Nations targeted by the U.S. for a "color revolution" often experience droughts or other mysterious disturbances to the their ecologies/agricultural sectors/public health in the years prior. I wonder if this is the real reason for the U.S.'s fury over India's purchase of the S-400. The S-400 has no peer in the world regarding the targeting of very/extremely (VLO/ELO) stealthy aircraft.

I've been quite ill so I don't have the energy for a discussion, but those interested can research this. Be prepared to go down some very dark paths.
Trikaal
BRFite
Posts: 574
Joined: 19 Jul 2017 08:01

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Trikaal »

SAM systems threaten aircrafts. Outside Us/Israel, only Russia sells LRSAM systems that are moderately competent. It's not that S-X00 can reliably hit 5th gen aircrafts(i don't think it can hit F-22), it's that US doesn't want any sort of challenge if they are to do an iraq on iran or any other middle east countru.

Regarding India, they want India to buy Patriot. They want to completely replace Russia in Indian market thus fulfilling two goals of making india dependent and starving russia of funds. Hence all the rhetoric. I don't think it is anything as sinister as wanting to keep india week, it's more like wanting to keep india dependent so that it can bare fangs only to those that they approve.

Regarding not havingva problem with china acquiring S-400, they don't have a choice. China has grown so much that US doesn't have any sort of control over them anymore. They can't make China back off in South China sea, they can't make China stop trade with NK, they can't make china give in to their demands on trade. This is why the trade war, to bring back some sort of control. India is still a redeemable case for US which is why they don't want to lose control of it too. This is why strong decision making is so important right now.
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Philip »

One report said that the S- 400 missiles we're being offered are superior to those China has.Terminal " hittile" capability, no warheads.Hypersonic.
Parasu
BRFite
Posts: 381
Joined: 04 Dec 2017 14:18

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Parasu »

bahdada wrote:
Parasu wrote:So what is the price of Russian LNG that India is paying?
I believe they are paying us, as It's not Yanqui.
In fact the gas is so pure, Modi will be renaming the PMUY scheme to Putin Mitron Ujwala Yojana.
I was curious about the price, but your reply will do. :D
Parasu
BRFite
Posts: 381
Joined: 04 Dec 2017 14:18

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Parasu »

US has pathological hatred for Russia. Its sickening.
They are trying to destroy the Russian mil-industrial complex via CAATSA type laws. If successful, that will leave US as the sole power with superior technology weapons. China is not there and will likely take another 50 years. Europeans have self-destructed their armaments industry.
When India refused to invest in FGFA, Putin probably believed India to have become a party to the American design. The Sochi summit has helped calm down the Russians.
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by ramana »

I wonder who in US lawmakers came up with that acronym.
And who did New Yorkers/Italian Americans agree to it!
RoyG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5620
Joined: 10 Aug 2009 05:10

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by RoyG »

Parasu wrote:US has pathological hatred for Russia. Its sickening.
They are trying to destroy the Russian mil-industrial complex via CAATSA type laws. If successful, that will leave US as the sole power with superior technology weapons. China is not there and will likely take another 50 years. Europeans have self-destructed their armaments industry.
When India refused to invest in FGFA, Putin probably believed India to have become a party to the American design. The Sochi summit has helped calm down the Russians.
If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

All nations seek advantage over others even if that means subjugating/destroying them.
krishna_krishna
BRFite
Posts: 917
Joined: 23 Oct 2006 04:14

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by krishna_krishna »

RoyG wrote:[

If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

All nations seek advantage over others even if that means subjugating/destroying them.
We all know that, how does this contribute to this thread or is pertaining to India - Russia relations ?
RoyG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5620
Joined: 10 Aug 2009 05:10

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by RoyG »

krishna_krishna wrote:
RoyG wrote:[

If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

All nations seek advantage over others even if that means subjugating/destroying them.
We all know that, how does this contribute to this thread or is pertaining to India - Russia relations ?
Well whining about it certainly doesn't.

Let's not blow things out of proportion.

Not signing FGFA doesn't mean anything given our laundry list of Russian weapons in service and waiting to be inducted.

China is certainly not 50 years behind either.

India will simply carve out a niche for itself and facilitate the growth of Indian subcontinent/SE Asia.

It will use SCO and Western Alliance to do so.
kit
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6278
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 18:16

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by kit »

RoyG wrote:
Parasu wrote:US has pathological hatred for Russia. Its sickening.
They are trying to destroy the Russian mil-industrial complex via CAATSA type laws. If successful, that will leave US as the sole power with superior technology weapons. China is not there and will likely take another 50 years. Europeans have self-destructed their armaments industry.
When India refused to invest in FGFA, Putin probably believed India to have become a party to the American design. The Sochi summit has helped calm down the Russians.
If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

All nations seek advantage over others even if that means subjugating/destroying them.
The FGFA is coming .. to India guys. Most likely the MKI route. So future looks LCA1/2 MWF/MCA and FGFA/RAFALE
Trikaal
BRFite
Posts: 574
Joined: 19 Jul 2017 08:01

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Trikaal »

I hope FGFA doesn't come to India. Every FGFA we buy is one less AMCA. I don't care if FGFA is better or not, if we keep buying we will never be self sufficient.
Katare
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2579
Joined: 02 Mar 2002 12:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Katare »

IAF doesn’t want it, DRDO cheif said “we are not involved” and HAL is not saying anything so how can it come? Where would it come from?

Atal ji, when he was the PM, in his poetic andaaz mein commented about FGFA “ ye to hona hi hai” two UPA and one NDA govt nikal gayee per ye abhi bhi sirf aa raha hai like a bad constipation.

Russians are not going to share their cutting edge technology with their biggest customer for products that they can sell us directly.
Bart S
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2938
Joined: 15 Aug 2016 00:03

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Bart S »

Parasu wrote:US has pathological hatred for Russia. Its sickening.
Why should it be sickening for a sane, rational, INDIAN (leaving out Russi/Amriki fanboys from this category)?

Except for narrow areas where it might affect our interests, why should we care or get emotional if a bunch of white people want to fight each other to the death. We need to stay focussed on ourselves and our own interests.
Parasu
BRFite
Posts: 381
Joined: 04 Dec 2017 14:18

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Parasu »

RoyG wrote:
Parasu wrote:US has pathological hatred for Russia. Its sickening.
They are trying to destroy the Russian mil-industrial complex via CAATSA type laws. If successful, that will leave US as the sole power with superior technology weapons. China is not there and will likely take another 50 years. Europeans have self-destructed their armaments industry.
When India refused to invest in FGFA, Putin probably believed India to have become a party to the American design. The Sochi summit has helped calm down the Russians.
If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

All nations seek advantage over others even if that means subjugating/destroying them.
Not all nations.
And anything abnormal has its side effects. US pathological hatred towards Russia is driving the rest of the world to sympathize with Moscow. I still have to see US having acquired any strategic advantage by f*cking up Ukraine or with CAATSA type laws.
In fact, its the American taxpayers who are now funding Ukraine.
Parasu
BRFite
Posts: 381
Joined: 04 Dec 2017 14:18

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Parasu »

Bart S wrote:
Parasu wrote:US has pathological hatred for Russia. Its sickening.
Why should it be sickening for a sane, rational, INDIAN (leaving out Russi/Amriki fanboys from this category)?

Except for narrow areas where it might affect our interests, why should we care or get emotional if a bunch of white people want to fight each other to the death. We need to stay focussed on ourselves and our own interests.
By sickening, I only meant its abnormal. I dont care two hoots about US or Russia.
Here - dictionary -
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictio ... /sickening

Bhailog,
please dont catch hold of a word and beat it to death.
Mort Walker
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10032
Joined: 31 May 2004 11:31
Location: The rings around Uranus.

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Mort Walker »

Philip wrote:One report said that the S- 400 missiles we're being offered are superior to those China has.Terminal " hittile" capability, no warheads.Hypersonic.
The S-400 is a pipe dream. It will be a decade plus before India gets the S-400. The Russians first have to make enough for themselves and then the Chinese who signed the deal back in 2014 and have only received shipment of just 1 battalion. The Russians don’t have the ability to for large scale industrial production. They are in the leagues of Italy and Spain. By 2025, the Chinese will have their own version of S-400 and crank them out like papads.
kit
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6278
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 18:16

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by kit »

Mort Walker wrote:
Philip wrote:One report said that the S- 400 missiles we're being offered are superior to those China has.Terminal " hittile" capability, no warheads.Hypersonic.
The S-400 is a pipe dream. It will be a decade plus before India gets the S-400. The Russians first have to make enough for themselves and then the Chinese who signed the deal back in 2014 and have only received shipment of just 1 battalion. The Russians don’t have the ability to for large scale industrial production. They are in the leagues of Italy and Spain. By 2025, the Chinese will have their own version of S-400 and crank them out like papads.
numbers : ~320 (as of October 2017, there were at least 320 launchers (41 artillery battalions) deployed in 21 regiments . (source Wiki)

Please check before you comment on "large-scale production"
Mort Walker
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10032
Joined: 31 May 2004 11:31
Location: The rings around Uranus.

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Mort Walker »

Is it the S-400 or really some variant like -200 or -300 ?
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Philip »

A recent report said that we were clearly being offered a much more sophisticated S-400 package than the Chinese with later variants of the missiles which have been sold to them.These advanced versions are probably why the US also wants to scuttle the deal as it would plug the hole in our missile defence especially from the soft under-belly of South India , where the US has its controversial WMD base and a host of other strat. bombers at DG .
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

Parasu wrote:US has pathological hatred for Russia. Its sickening.
They are trying to destroy the Russian mil-industrial complex via CAATSA type laws. If successful, that will leave US as the sole power with superior technology weapons. China is not there and will likely take another 50 years. Europeans have self-destructed their armaments industry.
When India refused to invest in FGFA, Putin probably believed India to have become a party to the American design. The Sochi summit has helped calm down the Russians.
The Europeans and Turkeys are also in the list of getting sanctioned due to JCPOA and Tarriff , The Indian and Chinese are facing the same tariff barrier , The Orange guy was indeed complaining 2 days back about India ......get ready for some more tariff on us :lol:

Indians will face pressure on CAATSA and JCPOA if we continue to deal with Iran and ofcouse tariff ......its America First now :rotfl:
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

Envoy credits Sushma Swaraj for strengthening Russia-India ties
Russia's Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev has said his country and India have a special and strategic relationship in the real sense of the word because of the efforts put in by External Affiars Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Speaking on the occasion of Day of Russia celebrations at the embassy on Tuesday evening, Ambassador Kudashev said, "The presence of Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the celebrations to mark this day at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi not only reminded many of the glorious past which both countries so proudly cherish, but it also reflects the rebuilding of the trust, which according some quarters has been fading."

Ambassador Kudashev thanked Swaraj for her personal valuable contribution in strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between India and Russia.

Commenting on the friendship that exists between the two countries, Ambassador Kudashev said, "It is heartening to note that one of the first major international initiatives taken by newly born Russia was the signing of the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation with India on January 28, 1993. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the document, as well as the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, which are one of a kind, rich in substance and unique in terms of mutual respect, trust and benefit."

"Russia and India may proudly boast of their durable and multi-pronged ties, defining the true essence of a special and privileged strategic partnership. Annual summits, held alternately in two countries, are key events of the year providing major boosts to further advance of bilateral cooperation," Ambassador Kudashev added.

Recalling the meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sochi last month, Ambassador Kudashev said, "We have seen recently a new phenomenon - an informal summit - meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sochi last month, which I had a privilege to attend and witness, the next annual summit is set for this October in India."

"While celebrating the Day of Russia, we can proudly note that it is people-to-people contacts and mutual affinity that really makes the Russian-Indian friendship so strong. It comes as no surprise that it is our common goal to continue fulfilling the inexhaustible potential of Russia-India trade, investment, technological, scientific and cultural interaction as well as strengthening our cooperation multilaterally in the near future and beyond. Friendship and strategic partnership of Russia and India has all the prerequisites to thrive and blossom for the security and prosperity of not only our nations, but also the world at large," Ambassador Kudashev added

The Russian Embassy in New Delhi hosted a lavish reception on Tuesday evening to mark the day which saw the entire premises lit up in a colour theme matching with their national colors. The White Hall saw a gathering of hundreds of guests - influential Indian politicians and public figures, businessmen and officials, cultural and scientific celebrities, activists of Russian-Indian friendship societies, journalists and representatives of Russian companies.

The celebration was also attended by diplomats from various countries.

Highlighting the India-Russia friendship, Praveen Pathak, spokesperson, BrahMos Aerospace, said, "India-Russia relations are time tested. If there was any country which supported India during sanctions was only Russia. We got all the support from Russia. India reciprocated in the same way and stood by Russia in 90s when Russia was going through a difficult period. Joint ventures like Brahmos, which emerged in 1998 supported Russian defense industries and defense institutions in a big way."

"In fact, the first launch of Brahmos took place on 12th June 2001, on Russia Day. Today Brahmos is a shining example of India-Russia cooperation in the field of defense, which has been recognized by President Putin and PM Modi around the globe,"Said Praveen Pathak, spokesperson, BrahMos Aerospace.

Udit Raj, Lok Sabha MP from North West Delhi, said, "Russia is our natural friend. But in later years we were more tilted towards western countries and the U.S. It is our mental block, which need to be broken. There are tremendous business opportunities in Russia which need to be explored. Now, time has come to strengthen friendly relations and to promote people's diplomacy between India and Russia to new high.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

Message of #Indian Minister of External Affairs Smt. @SushmaSwaraj on the National Day of the Russian Federation

Image
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

India Today: The sanctions shadow
Sandeep Unnithan
When foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman travel to Washington next month for the first of the annual '2+2' strategic dialogue with their respective US counterparts Mike Pompeo and Jim Mattis, they will have Russia on their mind. Specifically, how to insulate Indias military preparedness from the threat of US sanctions, which has hung a sword of Damocles over the country's military ties with Russia.

In January, the US law CAATSA (Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) came into effect. The law imposes sanctions on Russia, North Korea and Iran as well as countries buying arms from them.

A senior government official says while the sanctions imposed after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 focused only on Russian firms, CAATSA shifts the US attack to foreign countries doing business with all Russian military firms. This has serious implications for India, one of Russia's largest defence partners for nearly 50 years. It not only needs spare parts for warships, fighter jets, radars and battle tanks that now make up nearly 60 per cent of its weaponry, the sanctions impact arms deals worth over $12 billion that the Indian armed forces are seeking to counter China and Pakistan.

The navy has recently negotiated the lease of a second nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia for $2 billion. The amount will pay for the lease and refit of a Russian navy Akula-2 hull, which is to join the navy in the next decade to replace INS Chakra, which was leased from Russia in 2008. The army needs to urgently replace its ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters with Kamov 226 light utility helicopters, 140 of which will be manufactured in India as a joint venture between Russian Helicopters and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Indian Air Force wants five S-400 surface-to-air missile systems worth over Rs 40,000 crore from Russia to significantly offset the disadvantages of its depleted fighter squadrons when facing the air forces of China and Pakistan in case of a two-front war. Each missile has a range of nearly 400 km. When deployed on the border, they can cover vast reaches of Pakistan's airspace (the US-made Patriot PAC-3 missile has a range of just 70 km).


All of these deals will see significant currency transactions, which are likely to attract provisions of CAATSA, but given Indias financial constraints, the deal for S-400 missiles seems closest to the finish line. The S-400 contract is likely to be signed when President Vladimir Putin visits India later this year for the 19th Annual India-Russia bilateral summit. This one deal will thus be the test case of the Indian government's ability to withstand United States sanctions, particularly since the US regards this particular missile system with deep suspicion.

We have clearly explained to the US that India and Russia's defence cooperation is a time-tested relationship.
- Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman


On May 28, Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told journalists in Delhi that there is "a lot of concern in the US in both the administration and the Congress" over the S-400 system. "And there is concern that any country, and it is not just India that is looking at clearing it, but any country that acquires that system will complicate our ability to work out inter-operability," Thornberry said.


THE WAY OUT

CAATSA forces New Delhi to choose between strategic partners Russia and the US. A decade since the signing of the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal in 2008, the relationship has blossomed into a thriving arms partnership, with the United States becoming India's second-largest arms partner. Both countries regularly hold a series of military manoeuvres under the recently renamed 'Indo-Pacific Command' and have shared common concerns over a rising China.

Meanwhile, CAATSA and the unpredictability of the Donald Trump administration have forced a subtle reset in New Delhi and driving India and Russia closer.

Even as the US gears up to counter a China-Russia axis, New Delhi has reiterated its belief in a multi-polar world. On May 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Putin at an informal summit in Sochi, Russia. On May 29, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, a key figure in the India-Russia relationship, got Pankaj Saran, India's ambassador to Russia, as his deputy national security advisor. And on June 5, defence minister Sitharaman came out with an emphatic endorsement. "In all our engagements with the United States, we have clearly explained to them that India and Russia's defence cooperation has been going on for a long time and that it is a time-tested relationship. We have also mentioned that CAATSA cannot be impacting on this," she said in New Delhi.

Adds a senior defence official: "We are not the Dominican Republic or Canada, we are India and we have conveyed our concerns to the US administration."


Image

"It is quite obvious there is a division between the Trump Administration and the US Congress, which is full of Russia baiters, on this issue," says G Parthasarathy, former Indian High commissioner to Pakistan. "Amongst the countries the US is targeting and looking for cooperation for its Indo-Pacific strategy are Vietnam, Indonesia and India--all three vital for achieving its aims. All three have placed orders for or looking forward to doing this for more Russian weaponry. The Americans will have to be told that not just the "Quad" but many who share our views on Indo-Pacific will look at this action as not being friendly."

The United States was already conscious of the impact of CAATSA on partners like India. Signing the bill into law last August, President Donald Trump raised objections, terming it 'seriously flawed' because it limited the executive branch's flexibility on foreign policy. On April 27, Mattis told a Congressional hearing by the Senate Armed Services Committee that a national security waiver be urgently provided to India and other countries, which are trying to turn away from Russian-sourced weapons, to avoid sanctions under CAATSA.


Responding to the request, the US Senate this month inserted four new clauses under Section 1292 of the Act 'Enhancing Defense and Security Cooperation with India' in its defence budget passed last month. The new clauses empower the Trump administration to suspend CAATSA sanctions, but it has to certify that India was reducing its dependency on Russia 'and has a desire to continue doing so', as Thornberry told the media in New Delhi.

The clauses are of the nature of describing 'limitations that hinder or slow (down) progress' in Indo-US ties, 'a description of actions India is taking, or the actions the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of State believe India should take', to advance the relationship with the United States, measures that can be taken by the United States and India to improve interoperability. And, lastly, it also inserts a clause 'progress in enabling agreements between the United States and India'. The last reflects the US administration's pique over India's slow progress in 'foundation agreements', such as LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement), signed in 2016 after nearly a decade. The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) are yet to be signed.


"It's not just the S-400 deal, but India's strategic autonomy that is at stake," says Vice Admiral A.K. Singh (retired), a former commanding-in-chief, Eastern Naval Command. "Hopefully, our leaders will realise we cannot break ties with Russia. The United States is the world leader in anti-submarine warfare, stealth technology and drone technology, but will never part with it or even sell it. There are certain technologies only the Russians will give us." With the 2016 commissioning of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant, India recently operationalised the third leg of its nuclear triad, the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from under the sea. This could not have been done without considerable Russian assistance.

ON THE GROUND

Meanwhile, India and Russia have moved away from US dollars and euros and now do business in rupees and roubles. Agreements are being re-drafted and new modes of payments being established between Indian and Russian state-owned banks. Syndicate Bank, Vijaya Bank and the Indian Bank and Sberbank of Russia have been designated to handle the rupee-rouble payments for India to pay for Russian military purchases. The payments bypass SWIFT transactions, which are routed through New York. The first contracts were redrawn recently for the $208 million mid-life upgrade of a Russian-built Kilo class submarine in Russia. But while these relatively minor deals might go under the radar, it is the big-ticket items like the S-400 missile system that have the potential to cause worry in South Block.

"We have to stand firm while making payments arrangements, making it clear to the US that any attempt to pressurise us on the score will only make us prefer exporters like France, Germany and Israel, over US firms. We have to mobilize the Indian community and other friends in the US to lobby on this. There are clearly many in the Administration and Academia who share our views. The Secretaries of State and Defence back us," says Parthasarathy.

A waiver from the US administration will leave a strong negotiation lever in with the US, which they can use to extract other concessions from India. Under present circumstances, India's choices seem pretty limited.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

Indian Students talk about Women Safety in Russia (BBC Hindi)

Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

EXCLUSIVE, FULL & UNEDITED Interview Of Lavrov To British Channel 4

Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

Technology, aviation, metals, pharma offer potential for larger India-Russia trade: Denis Manturov

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/op ... 925989.cms
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by ramana »

Sandeep look up what CAATSA means in Italian. Someone in US bureaucracy has some weird humor.
souravB
BRFite
Posts: 630
Joined: 07 Jun 2018 13:52

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by souravB »

Russia is developing it's UCAV
it seems legit enough.
Russian UCAV
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Austin »

The link has wrong picture of Okhotnik they are showing Old Russian Mig UCAV proposal , The Okhotnik was recently declassifed and picture shown by UAC

Image
chanakyaa
BRFite
Posts: 1723
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 00:09
Location: Hiding in Karakoram

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by chanakyaa »

India to go ahead with S-400 missile

Nothing new here in the above link. I'm NO arms/defense expert to opine on the necessity of above purchase or the strategic value associated with it, but I don't like the fact that India is about to spend Rs. 39,000 crore on something that will contribute the least to what India desperately needs is massive infrastructure investment. This is the same amount of money to put 4-6 lines of my home town Mumbai metro in just one city. Such defense expenditures do not have the same economic multiplier effect (and magnitude) as infrastructure development or in-house industrial production. If done locally may be slightly better, but no comparison to infra/tech spend. Just as an example, the impact Mumbai metro of property values from Varsova (one end) and Ghatkopar (other end) has been massive. Construction along the line is going up as if there is no tomorrow, people are being employed and multiplier goes on and on.

Looking at India's public debts, country does not have the same luxury as thollar country to print as and when desired. Hypothetically if India needs to spend $x billions with rus, assuming some new-clear deterrents achieve the same objective, India is better off spending that amount of money with rus-ian industrial giants for heavy equipment makers, technology cos or providing infrastructure contracts to their companies. It is money better spent this way than supporting their MIC. Better yet, spend that kind of money for infra/tech development at home and let YooS, Ooiurope, Rus-ian companies bid on it, win it and implement it. Let them come here, stay, spend, pay tax, build, develop, and hopefully come back for more. The multiplier effect on the Indian economy will be massive.

If not, those fancy S-X00 tubes will be sitting in some corners of the country, providing some security of course, but what good is it if your economy still sucks (or not up to its fullest potential when thousands of youth graduating each year have to find unrelated jobs just to stay employed). We will look at the fancy tubes and feel good but that is about. Again, no defense expert myself, but I'm sure some smart people know what they are doing because Rs. 39,000 crore (or whatever the number) is no small change.
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Philip »

yes,it is no small change,but the threat from the Sino-Paki BM arsenal is very,very real.I think that the GOI has realised that we need to neutralise as far as possible the lesser of our two mortal enemies.Pak cannot be sure that their surprise strike will succeed and will be very vulnerable to our strat. deterrent in return.The Chins will use Pak if need be as their catspaw to launch any attack against India,as even if we both destroy a major part of our two countries,they couldn't care less if nothing iis sent down their garden path!

We are steadily building up our strat. offensive capability.second strike assets,etc.,so that even China will blink first before attemtpting to vaporise us.
strong BM defence coupled with a strong second strike capability is the top priority of all defence items,as billions spent on conventional weaponry will be useless if there is an exchange of N-missiles.In concert with the S-400 buy,the attempts to perfect our own family of ABMs,to complement the S-400s,should be continued post haste.A layered ABM defence would give us a greater chance of thwarting a BM attack from both China and Pak.
Y. Kanan
BRFite
Posts: 926
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: USA

Re: India-Russia: News & Analysis

Post by Y. Kanan »

SCO, ASEAN, BRICS... so many conflicts of interest for Russia (and for us). How long can this balancing act continue? In this case we have ASEAN, which is basically an anti-Chinese coalition, and of course China is Russia's ally. Russia (and China) must at some point must pick a side.
Post Reply