India-Russia: News & Analysis

[Philip]

Condolences to the victims and their families.This diabolic attack is because Russia is bent upon eliminating ISIS in Syria,etc. A global alliance is required to defeat it,as its anti-human ideology is spreading all over the globe tx to social media,etc.

St Petersburg bomb suspect is Kyrgyz-born Akbarzhon Jalilov, Kyrgyzstan says
Intelligence agency says Kyrgyz-born Russian citizen could be behind attack that killed 14 on metro network

Deadly explosion on St Petersburg metro train
Shaun Walker in Moscow
Tuesday 4 April 2017
The prime suspect in Monday’s bomb attack on the St Petersburg metro is a Russian citizen born in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, according to Kyrgyz intelligence.

Russia’s health minister raised the death toll from 11 to 14 on Tuesday and said 49 people were still in hospital. A second bomb left at a different station did not detonate and was defused.

Blast at St Petersburg metro station – in pictures

Kyrgyzstan’s state committee for national security said 22-year-old Akbarzhon Jalilov could be behind the attack, and that it was cooperating with Russian agencies to help investigate.

It was still unclear whether the bomb was a suicide attack or whether the attacker managed to flee, leaving the bomb on the train. Russian news agencies, citing sources in the investigation, have reported conflicting information since the time of the blast.

News agencies reported that the suspect, Jalilov, had lived in Russia for six years and was from the city of Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan. There are hundreds of thousands of Central Asians living in Russia, who often work on construction sites in poor conditions, sending the money they earn to their families back home.

Late on Monday night, president Vladimir Putin held a meeting with security chiefs. He took a phone call from Donald Trump in the early hours of Tuesday.

“President Trump offered the full support of the United States government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice,” a White House statement said. “Trump and President Putin agreed that terrorism must be decisively and quickly defeated.”

For many years, Russia suffered frequent terror attacks from Islamist groups based in the North Caucasus, including blasts on the Moscow metro in 2010. However, since a suicide bomber struck at Domodedovo airport in January 2011, attacks have largely been confined to the North Caucasus itself.

Since Russia entered the war in Syria in September 2015, a number of Islamic State propaganda outlets have said the country would be a target. In October 2015, a plane travelling from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt to St Petersburg crashed, apparently after an explosive device was detonated on board. Isis claimed responsibility.

Monday’s explosion occurred at about 2.30pm local time, after the metro train had left Sennaya Ploshchad station in the centre of St Petersburg. The driver decided to continue to the next station, Tekhnologicheskii Institut, in order to make evacuation easier.

In the hours after the blast, Russia’s anti-terror agency said a second bomb had been found and defused at Ploshchad Vosstaniya, another metro station in the centre of the city. Interfax said the second bomb would have been several times more powerful than the first, and was reportedly a device disguised as a fire extinguisher that had been rigged with shrapnel.

[Austin]

Need to ramp up economic cooperation with Russia: India

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ ... r-4597986/

Calling Russia as a “time-tested partner”, India on Monday said it has strong political and military ties with it but there was a need to lend greater balance to the relationship by boosting economic cooperation.

In his address to the first-ever India-Russia Media Rountable hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar also said a more ambitious target has been set to take bilateral trade to USD 30 billion by 2025.

“We enjoy a special and privileged strategic partnership. These are words which have not been chosen lightly but bring about something really very distinctive about our relationship. “And, we have worked really very hard, especially in the last two years, to give this relationship more content,” he said.

The Foreign Secretary, in the presence of Russia’s Deputy Minister of Telecom and Mass Communication Alexey Volin, also said the roundtable being held on the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries was “particularly noteworthy”.

The event came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in June to attend St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) to which India has been invited as a guest country.

Addressing a gathering of delegates from top media houses from both sides, Jaishankar said, “I think in this country Russia is regarded as a time-tested partner, and you will see this when you even ask people in the streets their opinion on Russia. I can’t think of any other country that enjoys that degree of popular support.” He also emphasised on the challenges the ties face particularly in the trade sector.

“One of the challenges we have faced is the economic cooperation. So, we have set ourselves a more ambitious target of USD 30 billion bilateral trade by 2025. At the same time, have tried to increase the cross-investment between India and Russia,” he said.

Jaishankar asserted that while the two countries enjoy a “very strong” political understanding and a “great history” of military, technical cooperation, it was also important today to “give greater balance to our ties with more trade and investment”. He said in the age of global digital connectivity and technological shift, it was important that India and Russia have “more direct exchanges with each other”.

“Holding of this media roundtable is important as it provides such an opportunity. “Also, I think in both countries, we could definitely improve coverage of each other’s news, we don’t really see enough of it. And, also we should get news directly rather than from a third party,” he added.

During a session the Russian side also proposed setting up of a joint media council to boost bilateral ties. On expansion of economic cooperation, Jaishankar said, Opening of the transit corridor — International North–South Transport Corridor– through Iran and the implementation of a green corridor between India and Russia would make customs facilitation more efficient.

He said one of the positive developments in Indo-Russia trade ties in the last one year, has been that “we have seen the largest FDI by any country in India…a consortium led by Rosneft”.

[Rudradev]

This diabolic attack is because Russia is bent upon eliminating ISIS in Syria,etc.

Philip, I am not so sure.

This idea... that Putin's intervention in Syria is the main source of taqleef that inspired the bombing at St Petersburg, and will inspire a whole new wave of Islamist attacks against Russian cities in months to come... is PRECISELY how the Western thinktankers would like to portray things.

See for example
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/ ... get-214977

Terrorist groups have made their changing priorities clear. In an ISIS video titled “Soon Very Soon Blood Will Spill Like an Ocean,” an ISIS fighter threatens Russian leader Vladimir Putin directly, citing the country’s intervention in Syria and its growing alliance with Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, Iran and the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah as proof that Moscow is the chief proponent of a growing Shiite axis throughout the Middle East. Forty other Syrian rebel groups have concurred, pointedly saying that “any occupation force to our beloved country is a legitimate target.”

Russia has been the primary force propping up the Assad regime, which has waged a bloody six-year war against anti-government insurgents, most of whom are Sunnis. The political and military alliance between Russia and Iran is also deepening as the countries work together to help Assad reclaim pockets of territory from rebels. Russian Special Forces and warplanes have served as a force multiplier for Hezbollah fighters who have bloodied Sunni militants in battle, most recently in Palmyra.

But the cooperation between Russia and Shiite powers in the region has come with a price. ISIS has already expressed a desire and ability to strike Russian targets, with its affiliate in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula claiming responsibility for the downing of Metrojet flight 9268 after it departed Sharm El-Sheikh for St. Petersburg in October 2015.

But but but!!

A few data points.

1. The subway bomber was apparently from Kyrgyzstan.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/ ... ty-service

2. Which groups have been most active, of late, in Kyrgyzstan?

Not ISIS (even though it's become fashionable to link every Islamic terrorist act everywhere with "ISIS"... a "flavour of the month" amongst lightweight consumers of national-security news). Not so much Chechen/Dagestani groups either.

It is ETIM that has of late been highly active in Kyrgyzstan. East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

Just last September there was a bombing by ETIM of China's embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

3. Who is the main state sponsor of the non-state ETIM terrorists? Well, well.

http://www.voanews.com/a/former-afghan- ... 92267.html

Nabil accused Pakistan of relocating several Afghan Taliban, particularly members of the Haqqani network, to other areas of Pakistan before launching its military operation, along with opening several mountain passes to allow some of them ­— along with members of other international militant groups like Jundullah, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) — to cross over to Afghanistan.
...

Afghanistan, he added, handed several members of ETIM to China that had been trained in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.

I wonder if Zamir Kabulov's Chicken Shashlik came home to roost in St. Petersburg. With a side of pindi chana.

Kabulov is an influential member of the Kremlin's foreign policy apparatus who has been advocating... with considerable success... for Russia to get into bed with Pakistan and the Taliban in matters of Afghan policy.

Like Kissinger, Brzezinsky or Albright in the United States, Zamir Kabulov is exactly the sort of Islam-pasand, out-of-the-box "thinker" who dazzles the deep-state leadership with his erudition, and then offers tactically brilliant decisions in the guise of long-term strategy.

Because of his panache for presentation, he is taken seriously, elevated as a prodigy of the leadership (Putin in this case)... and his crackpot ideas then become institutionalized as policy.

The danger for Russia (and of course India, Afghanistan and everyone else who will suffer the blowback) is that Putin will now prove to be no smarter than Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, or George W Bush were when it came to Pakistan.

Because Putin has elevated Zamir Kabulov as a master strategist with "bold ideas", just as Nixon propped up Kissinger or Clinton lionized Madeline Albright... Putin's own personal credibility has become inseparably linked with the continued portrayal of his prodigy as an eminently successful master strategist.

Just as Nixon "doubled down" on supporting Kissinger after the latter's championing of Operation Linebacker and the Cambodian Campaign failed to achieve results in the Vietnam War... the danger is that Putin, with his massive ego on the line, will not distance himself from Zamir Kabulov's tactical brilliance now that its results have become apparent.

Rather, Putin will paint himself into a corner (the corner labeled "won't back down on national security") by putting even more weight behind the Islam-pasand wing of the Russian foreign policy establishment: Kabulov, Dedov, Andrew Korybko, and others who think getting even more deeply intertwined with the Pakistani embrace is a good idea.

It is sad that people in St. Petersburg have died as a result of Russia's dalliance with the China-Pakistan-Taliban axis. However, unless Putin actually shows himself to be a clever strategist by trashing the pro-Pakistan policies Moscow has been fervently pursuing over the past two years... we can be sure that this isn't the last time.

[Austin]

It is better to get NATO/US move out of Afghanistan , It is in interest of all in the region specially Afghan own citizen who have died in thousand in drone and other strike. All the 15 years of NATO intervention in Afghanistan has no success.

If US cannot stop Pakistan fund and arm Taliban , No one can ever do .

So better to see how to work with Taliban and prevent IS taking ground in Afghanistan.

[TSJones]

Need to ramp up economic cooperation with Russia: India

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ ... r-4597986/

Calling Russia as a “time-tested partner”, India on Monday said it has strong political and military ties with it but there was a need to lend greater balance to the relationship by boosting economic cooperation.

In his address to the first-ever India-Russia Media Rountable hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar also said a more ambitious target has been set to take bilateral trade to USD 30 billion by 2025.

“We enjoy a special and privileged strategic partnership. These are words which have not been chosen lightly but bring about something really very distinctive about our relationship. “And, we have worked really very hard, especially in the last two years, to give this relationship more content,” he said.

The Foreign Secretary, in the presence of Russia’s Deputy Minister of Telecom and Mass Communication Alexey Volin, also said the roundtable being held on the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries was “particularly noteworthy”.

The event came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in June to attend St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) to which India has been invited as a guest country.

Addressing a gathering of delegates from top media houses from both sides, Jaishankar said, “I think in this country Russia is regarded as a time-tested partner, and you will see this when you even ask people in the streets their opinion on Russia. I can’t think of any other country that enjoys that degree of popular support.” He also emphasised on the challenges the ties face particularly in the trade sector.

“One of the challenges we have faced is the economic cooperation. So, we have set ourselves a more ambitious target of USD 30 billion bilateral trade by 2025. At the same time, have tried to increase the cross-investment between India and Russia,” he said.

Jaishankar asserted that while the two countries enjoy a “very strong” political understanding and a “great history” of military, technical cooperation, it was also important today to “give greater balance to our ties with more trade and investment”. He said in the age of global digital connectivity and technological shift, it was important that India and Russia have “more direct exchanges with each other”.

“Holding of this media roundtable is important as it provides such an opportunity. “Also, I think in both countries, we could definitely improve coverage of each other’s news, we don’t really see enough of it. And, also we should get news directly rather than from a third party,” he added.

During a session the Russian side also proposed setting up of a joint media council to boost bilateral ties. On expansion of economic cooperation, Jaishankar said, Opening of the transit corridor — International North–South Transport Corridor– through Iran and the implementation of a green corridor between India and Russia would make customs facilitation more efficient.

He said one of the positive developments in Indo-Russia trade ties in the last one year, has been that “we have seen the largest FDI by any country in India…a consortium led by Rosneft”.

India trade with russia:
http://www.rusexporter.com/country/in/

India trade with the US:
https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5330.html

[Bhurishravas]

It is better to get NATO/US move out of Afghanistan , It is in interest of all in the region specially Afghan own citizen who have died in thousand in drone and other strike. All the 15 years of NATO intervention in Afghanistan has no success.
If US cannot stop Pakistan fund and arm Taliban , No one can ever do .
So better to see how to work with Taliban and prevent IS taking ground in Afghanistan.

Yeah yeah.
Difference between Taliban and ISIS -
Taliban - Implemented Sharia in Afghanistan.
ISIS - Implemented Sharia in Iraq/Syria.

Taliban established Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
ISIS established Islamic state of Iraq and Syria.

Taliban calls for global Jihad.
ISIS calls for global jihad.

Taliban destroys Buddha statues in Bamiyan.
ISIS destroys Palmyra and Iraqi museums.

Taliban muders Hazara shias.
ISIS murders Iraqi Shias.

Talban harbours Indian hijacked plane and supports terrorists.
ISIS murders innocent people and harbours terrorists.

Let us support Taliban to prevent ISIS from taking ground in Afghanistan. And accuse Americans of supporting `moderate` terrorists in Syria at the same time.
Genius.
Cheers.

[Cosmo_R]

^^^ "Working with the Taliban"
Perfectly aligned with Russia's new thinking. Quick pivot.

Next up, we find we may have synergies with JeM, HuA and other non-state actors when Vlad puts out the word.

[Austin]

It is better to get NATO/US move out of Afghanistan , It is in interest of all in the region specially Afghan own citizen who have died in thousand in drone and other strike. All the 15 years of NATO intervention in Afghanistan has no success.
If US cannot stop Pakistan fund and arm Taliban , No one can ever do .
So better to see how to work with Taliban and prevent IS taking ground in Afghanistan.

Yeah yeah.
Difference between Taliban and ISIS -
Taliban - Implemented Sharia in Afghanistan.
ISIS - Implemented Sharia in Iraq/Syria.

Taliban established Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
ISIS established Islamic state of Iraq and Syria.

Taliban calls for global Jihad.
ISIS calls for global jihad.

Taliban destroys Buddha statues in Bamiyan.
ISIS destroys Palmyra and Iraqi museums.

Taliban muders Hazara shias.
ISIS murders Iraqi Shias.

Talban harbours Indian hijacked plane and supports terrorists.
ISIS murders innocent people and harbours terrorists.

Let us support Taliban to prevent ISIS from taking ground in Afghanistan. And accuse Americans of supporting `moderate` terrorists in Syria at the same time.
Genius.
Cheers.

There are no good options in Afghanistan , none existed since 1991 when Taliban came to power.

NATO/American got a chance since past 16 years nothing happened , All they did was funded and armed Pakistan with billions in Arms and Money , And all Pakistan did was funded and armed Taliban that killed NATO/US troops to Afghanistan.

US did precious little to stop that now they are complaining like baby as if for past 15 years Russia and China funded and armed Talib.

US lost the war and their soldiers are just canon fodder to the talibs , nothing good can come out of their presense in Afghanistan than prolonging the war and bringing misery on Afghan people.

It better to let first NATO/US troops leave Afghanistan in first

1 ) Let UN place troops there , Not sure how appetite UN has to do but this is best option
2 ) Let China,Russia.Pakistan , Iran , India work to have a solution

[Philip]

Why India too must worry,as the West cares little about Paki terror against India in jst the same manner as they shrug off terror attacks in Russia,paying lip service sympathy.The Trump regime's new plan to "intervene" in the Indo-Pak conflict-for it is truly an on-going low-scale conflict,shows the venal hypocrisy of the US state,where Paki terrorists are "good terrorists" who must be protected at all costs.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/rus ... 66516.html

There are reasons why the West is not responding to the St Petersburg terrorist attack like those in London or Nice
Russia remains a brutalised society and the official reaction tends to be more akin to revenge than to justice. This makes western empathy harder

James Nixey
The man suspected of killing 11 people in the St Petersburg metro is thought to be from Kyrgyzstan Getty
Russia is a victim of terrorism. At least as much as any western country. Airport bombings, airplane bombings, theatres and schools, overground and now underground train bombings. Russia has had its share. The Houses of Parliament, the Brandenburg Gate and other iconic buildings should be emblazoned with the Russian flag in sympathy and solidarity (although they won’t be).

Suspicion initially fell on Russia’s own North Caucasus republics – an Achilles heel which has often proved the source in the past. The latest information suggests the opening up of a new front however, with the suspect apparently coming from southern Kyrgyzstan (though having lived in Russia for about five years). At this stage, all such information should be examined with very hard eyes as the authorities are not above pinning the blame on the nearest non-Russian-looking person.

If true however, this is a worrying development for Russia, which hosts between 3-4 million seasonal migrant workers a year from the wider Central Asian region – the largest migrant intake in the world after the USA. But the Kyrgyzstani element should not be a complete surprise either. The June 2016 Istanbul airport suicide bombers are also thought to have originated from the North Caucasus and Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan. Clearly the region requires a reassessment by all major powers. The West in particular has largely ignored it since the pull-out from Afghanistan.

Russia President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at scene of blast in St Petersburg
Although Russia does have form in intervening in Central Asia, it has been nothing like the bull-in-a-china-shop approach that it has employed in Syria – or indeed in the North Caucasus. In fact, Kyrgyzstan is an example of Russian military restraint. During the 2010 fighting largely between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks, Russia chose not to send in troops – although it did have a hand in choosing the Kyrgyz government that came next.

However – and there does need to be a ‘however’ in any honest assessment of the overall terrorist threat to Russia – in the search for solutions it is impossible to avoid Russia’s own actions at home and abroad as an explanation – not, of course, as justification.

Just as it is nonsensical to deny the causal link between the UK’s involvement in the invasion of Iraq and London’s own underground bombing atrocity in July 2005, the broader link between Russia’s actions towards Islamic peoples and yesterday’s act of terror can only be disputed by those with a political agenda – those for whom doctrine and a powerful state is more important than human life.

In terms of approaches and responses to terror, regardless of its point of origin, Russia and the West differ greatly. This explains the absence of flags on the Brandenburg Gate (or indeed on Facebook). Of course it does not mean that western citizens have less sympathy for the dead of St Petersburg than for the dead of Nice or Westminster Bridge – that would be racist. But there are two explanations for the different reactions.

First, some may find it hard to distinguish between the unsavoury geopolitics Russia prosecutes beyond its borders and its 150 million-strong population. But the only fault that can be lain at door of Russia’s citizens is that too many accept the Kremlin account of Russia’s actions abroad at face value – and even that is somewhat excusable as they are force-fed that version through state-directed television.

The second reason for the international response being different towards St Petersburg than it was towards, say, Nice is that Russia remains a brutalised society and the official reaction tends to be more akin to revenge than to justice. This makes western empathy harder.

Meanwhile, Russia will face more terrorism in the months and years to come – and quite possibly with greater frequency, not least due to fighters who originate from Central Asia and Russia’s southern Muslim republics returning from the war in Syria – some 2,000 Russians from the North Caucasus have been fighting there according to some estimates, and some will surely return over time and with violent intent. But terror attacks in Russia will also increase because the traditional reaction from authorities – and particularly autocracies – is to use atrocities to tighten the screws. This is especially convenient in order to show strength in the run-up to Russia’s presidential elections in March next year. But such is the nature of terrorism – its ubiquity, and its relative ease to perpetrate – that tightening tends to have the effect of squeezing terrorists elsewhere much as it did when Russia bombed Chechnya into submission in the late 1990s. But not necessarily much further afield: as the world’s largest country, Russia contains far too many targets over too wide an area to realistically protect.

James Nixey is Head of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House

[Austin]

Russian Orthodox Church urges change to Chechen ruling allowing hijab in schools

https://www.rt.com/politics/383280-russ ... ctions-to/

[Bhurishravas]

There are no good options in Afghanistan , none existed since 1991 when Taliban came to power.
NATO/American got a chance since past 16 years nothing happened , All they did was funded and armed Pakistan with billions in Arms and Money , And all Pakistan did was funded and armed Taliban that killed NATO/US troops to Afghanistan.
US did precious little to stop that now they are complaining like baby as if for past 15 years Russia and China funded and armed Talib.
US lost the war and their soldiers are just canon fodder to the talibs , nothing good can come out of their presense in Afghanistan than prolonging the war and bringing misery on Afghan people.
It better to let first NATO/US troops leave Afghanistan in first
1 ) Let UN place troops there , Not sure how appetite UN has to do but this is best option
2 ) Let China,Russia.Pakistan , Iran , India work to have a solution

Russia and US need to decide whether they want to continue using jihadi proxies against each other or shun these uncivilized elements in the geopolitical competition between them. Russian policy from Uzbekistan to Chechnya and Central Asia to Syria had been to first counter the jihadis and for which it must be applauded. In Afghanistan, there is a change. Moscow is blinded by hatred of US. And that is all I am pointing out.
That US has funded and armed Pakistan does not cut much ice when Russia is trying to do the same now. You see, Indian rage against Poakistan does not blind us to logic.
That China has a vested interest in seeing US leave so that Taliban can give mines and minerals to China via Pakistan is understandable. Hajigak is an example.That Pakistan would support Taliban is a given. Both Pakistan and Iran are islamic states and they have different definition of Jihad than civilized states. Iran might also have reasons to counter US considering regular American threats.
But what has Russia got in it. In supporting Taliban. Russia is a superpower with thousands of nukes. And America and Taliban killing each other in Afghanistan should suit Russia. Why would Russia want US to leave and give free hand to Taliban and jihadis?!
Besides I have a better solution than yours-
Since US has lost the war and nothing good can come out of prolonging the war, we should all convert to Islam and implement Sharia in our lands. That ways our planes wont be hijacked and taken to Kandahar.

[Austin]

^^ Like I said so many time , Russia does not see NATO presense at its backyard as stabalising factor , It simply accomodated it since there was genuine reason initially to take our AQ which was also a common enemy for Russia.

But this war keeps dragging after 16 years and spending more than $1 trillion ( check Afghanistan thread ) NATO/US is no closer to achieve either political or military solution , Afghanistan is now just a base to Spy on CIS and China

US does not keep a leash on Pakistan which is the Key Reason why Afghanistan is facing terrorism because of open Taliban support , Surely US must be having a good reason to Support Pakistan Fund it in Billions , Arm it and let still keep these Talibs killing the US army.

May be Geo-political interest of US overwhelms Terrorism interest hence he does not any action against Pakistan inspite of OSama Bin Laden caught deep inside the state.

China and Russia are now tired of this bullshit of prolonging Afghan presense of NATO Troops for some or the other reason and now would do any thing to limit its presense or just happily so it go out.

The call is also within US establishment to see it move out of Afghanistan there is no solution and just stalemate at best after 15 years. Check the link

America Can't Afford to Buy a Broken Afghanistan

Cost of Afghanistan War: Timeline, Economic Impact

https://www.thebalance.com/cost-of-afgh ... ct-4122493

[Austin]

Russia NSA Interview and views on Afghanistan

https://sputniknews.com/interviews/2016 ... iew/[quote]

Afghanistan: Moscow Weary of Daesh, Other Terror Groups Gaining a Foothold

Taking a moment to focus on Afghanistan, where Russia has been paying very close attention to the rise of militant groups and terrorists, and the drug trade that funds them, Patrushev noted that Russia considers the deteriorating security situation in that country to be a direct threat to Russia. "Along with the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, regional extremist organizations, such the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, as well as international groups, such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda, operate in the country. The extremists have gained a foothold in the country's northern provinces, which presents a direct threat to our country and the Central Asian states."

Patrushev said that Moscow is keeping a close watch over the processes taking place in the country, and is doing everything possible to remain proactive. "We are doing so in both bilateral and multilateral formats. Particular attention is paid to fostering cooperation within regional organizations. Necessary measures, predominantly of military nature, are taken within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Counter-terrorism and cooperation against drugs is carried out in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization."

Additionally, the official noted, "the Russian Security Council is engaged in join Russian-Afghan consultations with representatives of a number of interested agencies from the two countries. We discuss future projects which should contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan's economy, and preparing bilateral documents on security and deepened all-round cooperation as well."

Ultimately, Patrushev emphasized that "it is not enough to conduct military operations on Afghan soil. It's necessary to understand the root causes of the radicalization of the Afghan population – flagrant foreign intervention, an acute political crisis, unemployment, lack of access to education. To overcome these negative factors, it is necessary to consolidate efforts of the international community through the UN."
[/quote]

[Bhurishravas]

Let us stop running around the trees.
US/NATO presence ensures the survival of Afghan govt.

China and Russia are now tired of this bullshit of prolonging Afghan presense of NATO Troops for some or the other reason and now would do any thing to limit its presense or just happily so it go out.

China and Russia are willing to support terrorists(read Taliban) to get US/NATO out of Afghanistan.

I dont care much about China but Russia and roos-lovers can now get off their high horses over US supporting moderate jihadis in Syria.
Cheers.

[Austin]

Facts are , OBL is caught deep inside Pakistan and US does nothing about it , US funds Pakistan for past 16 years for Afghan war pays it handsomely with $$ and Arms but Pakis funds and supports Talibs and US turns a blind eyes , US Soldiers gets killed in dozens every year

Two key Terrorist nations Pakistan and Saudi are US pasand cant say more ....Cheers

[Rudradev]

Facts are , OBL is caught deep inside Pakistan and US does nothing about it , US funds Pakistan for past 16 years for Afghan war pays it handsomely with $$ and Arms but Pakis funds and supports Talibs and US turns a blind eyes , US Soldiers gets killed in dozens every year

Two key Terrorist nations Pakistan and Saudi are US pasand cant say more ....Cheers

All you can talk about is US did this, US did that.

What difference does it make what US did? This is the India-Russia thread. Are you finally admitting that the false premise of India-Russia "friendship and cooperation" quickly falls apart without the bogey of "US did XYZ" as a flimsy justification for its continued existence?

By dragging in the US again and again, you are simply suggesting that Russia has no value to India as a long-term strategic partner absent the context of perpetual India-US hostility. And that indeed, even the short-term gains from Russia (in mil-tech, etc.) may now stand obliterated by the emergence of a Russia-China-Pakistan axis energetically pursuing common interests in Afghanistan... interests that are DIRECTLY opposed to India's.

You say Afghanistan and its people have suffered from years of futile, murderous, foreign intervention. Are you forgetting Moscow's role in that? Or does your history conveniently begin after 2001 onlee?

Russia is supporting the Taliban, an Islamist terrorist group that has repeatedly targeted Indian interests and murdered Indian citizens. Russia is coordinating with Pakistan, the number one sponsor of terrorism against India, to gain leverage in Afghanistan by using the Taliban as a proxy. Russia is sending official delegations to Waziristan, ostensibly to facilitate Moscow's cooperation with the Haqqani Network... an ISI militia that has directly attacked Indian diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.

I realize that Russia cites the dubious pretext of "fighting against IS" for its anti-India interventions in collaboration with Pakistan and China in Afghanistan. Why should India swallow this specious rubbish? Russia has shown itself very happy to support the Taliban and coordinate with Pakistan... both of which are clear and present dangers to Indian interests and national security. So why should India give a rat's a$$ about Russia's fight against "IS"?

If Taliban and Pakistan threats to India's national security are not Russia's problem, why should Wahhabi threats to Russia and its allies be India's problem? Or are you saying that Russia's problem with Islamism is legitimate but India's is not?

US certainly played its game of good terrorists vs. bad terrorists to India's detriment and Pakistan's benefit. What is now 100% apparent is that Russia is doing exactly the same thing.

[Rudradev]

Russia is about to find out that, whatever they might have hoped, the Trump administration isn't any more friendly to them (or their geopolitical interests in Syria) than the Obama administration. In fact, the Trump administration is blaming Obama's govt for "weakness" against Assad and aggressively posturing both in the UN (via Haley) and for domestic audiences (via Spicer):

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/ ... korea.html?

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/04/politics/ ... ump-obama/

And on top of this, the Islamist chickens have come home to roost in St Petersburg.

Poo-tin should wise up and realize that he better not alienate Russia's time-tested friends, like India, in favor of upstarts like China and blackmailing rentier states like Pakistan. Moscow will soon need all the friends it can get.

[Austin]

Jehovah’s Witnesses banned in Russia , Russian court turns down Jehovah’s Witnesses’ bid for ‘victim of repression’ status
More:
http://tass.com/world/939467

[Austin]

Poo-tin should wise up and realize that he better not alienate Russia's time-tested friends, like India, in favor of upstarts like China and blackmailing rentier states like Pakistan. Moscow will soon need all the friends it can get.

Dont get hyper about things just by media reports , Lets see what khichidi is going on between Pak-Delhi-China , We dont know the facts and facts wont be hidden.

By Ignoring Pakistan-US relation in terms of Afghanistan and India , you are ignoring the root cause of Terrorism in Afghanistan exist today and for past 15 years , India and Russia cannot ignore that fact and NATO/US still has their physical presense in AF-PAK region and US still bankrolls Pakistan in guise of it supporting US troops in Afghanistan.

[Austin]

https://twitter.com/CentreAST/status/846350620768514048

Ruslan Pukhov and defense experts discussing security issues with Indian Deputy National Security Advisor Arvind Gupta & Amb. Pankaj Saran

[Austin]

Russia is about to find out that, whatever they might have hoped, the Trump administration isn't any more friendly to them (or their geopolitical interests in Syria) than the Obama administration. In fact, the Trump administration is blaming Obama's govt for "weakness" against Assad and aggressively posturing both in the UN (via Haley) and for domestic audiences (via Spicer):

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/ ... korea.html?

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/04/politics/ ... ump-obama/

These are for Optics , Trump has to say that else the Liberal Media would pounce on him on he being the best buddy of Putin !

It is safer for him to bash Russia in the Open and score some brownie points atleast at the moment when there is Russian interefence frenzy is going and Liberal Media is out to get him by hook or crook

[Bhurishravas]

Ok. fine. Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran help Taliban kick out US/NATO.
What after that??!!
Taliban rules Afghanistan again. Pakistan is happy. China gets rights to mines and minerals.
What is Russian endgame in Afghanistan.
Taliban rule?! Or they have no clue whatsoever and just doing whatever their new cheeni masters are telling them?!

[Philip]

Trump's attack on Syria,with more likely to come will push the Russians into a closer embrace with the Chinese.Trump's massive attack raises fears amongst many smaller states like NoKo,who feel threatened by the US,that they too will be on the receiving end.The US threat to intervene in India-Pak affairs over J&K,"act before things happen",is a stark warning even to India that the US will only look towards its own interests rather than that of other nations in a fair manner.This may spur India to reassess its attitude towards China ,despite the howls from the Muddle Kingdom about the Dalai lama ,and
pause before entering into a tighter embrace with Uncle Sam.

Q:What does every interlloper want in Afghanistan?

A:Control over the Opium/Heroin trade!

In the past the CIA/ISI controlled the drug trade when the Talibs where in power and they want a return to the same.Unfortunately,the Talibs went awol with Al Q and OBL,and after 9/11 were legitimate targets for the US which led to its invasion of the country,in a war that has still not ended. This war may one day be recorded in history in similar manner to the 100 yrs war between France and England,or the endless wars that the Romans had with various tribes and principalities in the Meditt.

famous saying:
"peace is the interlude between wars".

[Y. Kanan]

Indeed at this point we're better off halting all further strategic tie-ups and arms contracts with the US. We're honestly better off with Russia, or no friends at all, then embracing the US at this point.

[Philip]

Recent agreements/mtgs between Indian and Russian def. officials, relate to setting up entities to support all Russian/Sov. milware and for further R&D and JVs.The list is very comprehensive and is aimed at making acquisition and lifetime support for such much easier and within the country. Some pvt. sector entities will also benefit,but in the main it will be DPSU giants like HAL,etc. who stand to benefit the most.

In contrast with the US,though in recent years costwise the deals may have been huge,but the milware obtained is not that critical to India as those systems we're acquiring from Russia like the BMos JV,N-subs,S-400 SAMs,etc. The past US sanctions after P-2 still lingers on in the MOD minds,just as the Enterprise's futile mission into the IOR in '71 is similarly remembered,despite the growing bonhomie today between the IN and USN,due to the Chinese factor.

Trump's Syrian gambit and threat of further attacks has been countered by Russia,Iran and Syria threatening a mil-response .Should this happen,and the odds are that they will sooner rather than later,India will ahve to tread most cautiously with any defence relationship with the US other than that of a buyer-seller.We cannot enter into any defence alliance with the US because it would further cement the Russia-China-Paki relationship that is taking place over Afghanistan. If the Logistics pact is attempted to be enforced by the US to support its MEast wars where it will be jousting with Russia and Iran,to allow such base facilities for US use by India would make it a hostile act against Russia and Iran,with grave consequences for our security.

Already Iran is cheesed off about our oil purchases and has cut the credit time for such.The entire strategy of encircling Pak from Iran/Char Bahar,with a route to Central Asia and Russia by rail/road will be in tatters.The MEA and MOD need to clearly spell out the consequences of supporting the US militarily to the Modi regime immediately. Trump exemplifies the old adage of "fools stepping in where angels fear to tread".

[Cosmo_R]

Russia is about to find out that, whatever they might have hoped, the Trump administration isn't any more friendly to them (or their geopolitical interests in Syria) than the Obama administration. In fact, the Trump administration is blaming Obama's govt for "weakness" against Assad and aggressively posturing both in the UN (via Haley) and for domestic audiences (via Spicer):

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/ ... korea.html?

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/04/politics/ ... ump-obama/

And on top of this, the Islamist chickens have come home to roost in St Petersburg.

Poo-tin should wise up and realize that he better not alienate Russia's time-tested friends, like India, in favor of upstarts like China and blackmailing rentier states like Pakistan. Moscow will soon need all the friends it can get.

+1

Russia is caught in a bind. Sanctions leave it dependent on China which extracts its own price: support our strategy for AfPak. T-Rump is making a mistake by doubling down on Russia. He needs them to stay neutral in the Pacific as the US takes on China.

[Suresh S]

I agree RD. Russia can not and will not abandon india for China. If Trump is able to wean China away from Russia partly or completely, India is the only country that matters with which Russia needs to have good relations . My guess is that russia will hedge it,s bets in case China does not play ball completely with them which is very likely . China has too much business interest with the west and will definitely not want to completely side with Russia. On the other hand russia,s proximity and energy supplies, food supplies and other minerals which Chinese gets from them forces them to not abandon Russia completey either. On top of that is the dimension of an angry bear next door which will stab them in the back if they completely abandon it for the west when there is a fight on with India, which in my opinion will happen sooner rather than later and is likely to be a limited war.

Unfortunately world is a more dangerous and unstable place today than at anytime in entire human history and I am not trying to be dramatic.

The structure of the world which existed for last few centuries which was western based is about to undergo dramatic change and this can not be stopped except by war . The major non-western powers of the world wants to move away from dollar based system and if that happens US/western world will be faced with catastrophic economic consequences including massive unemployment and social disruption and may be civi war. This part of the equation is never discussed in the MSM but is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Add in the this mix the interests of the Juice with regards to Russian and Iranian forces with likely nuclear weapons right on their borders and we have all the ingredients for a 3rd world war in place unfortunately. I will not call it interesting times but terrible times for all of humanity and in my opinion whenever major changes have to take place in the world like this war is a given.

[Bhurishravas]

I wouldnt put it beyond Russia to shun India over China.
The problem with concentration of too much power in the hands of one or few men means that decisions may be and are taken without thorough debate. For example, Obama was under more pressure to intervene militarily in Syria than Trump. But he didnt while Trump did. The 2003 Iraq war by George Bush is now turning into a legend.
Putin and US presidents are capable of changing foreign policies much more easily than Indian, french or British rulers. We have already seen Putin attempting a bonhomie with Turkey which didnt quite turn out as he might have liked.
Without sufficient debate in parliament and mass media, Putin will only be relying on his own and the views of a select few to decide issues relevant to India and Indian interests. I fail to see any reason for confidence in Russia and to believe that the policies are and will be based on far-sighted reasoning, taking into account long history of nations.

[NRao]

IMHO.

There was the Soviet Union. Then Russia.

Now it is only Putin - much like only Xi or even Trump (or is it Ivanka? Not sure).



But, that old relation is no longer there. India has moved on too. And, the only area where "India" and "Russia" will meet is WRT to oil & gas. Rest is all fluid.

[Philip]

The relationship is far deeper. Good for the PRC to snub Russia,allegedly over our respect for the Dalai lama. These ungodly barbarians of the MIddle KIngdom of the east need to be brought down to earth with a heavy thud.

China snubs Russian request for RIC Defence Ministers meeting
12 April 2017 ALEXANDER KORABLINOV
Moscow’s attempts to arrange a trilateral meeting between the defence ministers of Russia, India and China have been thwarted by Beijing. The latest standoff over the Dalai Lama visiting Tawang may have influenced the Chinese decision.

https://in.rbth.com/politics/2017/04/12 ... ing_740562

China has rejected a Russian request to hold a trilateral meeting at the level of defence ministers with India in Moscow, sources close to the Indian and Russian government told RIR on April 12.

The proposed meeting would have been held on April 25 in the Russian capital, a day before the Moscow Conference on International Security, which will be attended by both Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan and his Indian counterpart Arun Jaitley.

“We were ready to go ahead with this meeting, despite our concerns over China’s deep engagement with Pakistan,” an Indian Defence Ministry source said on the condition of anonymity. “After agreeing to the meeting, the Russians informed us that China refused.”

Diplomatic ties between India and China have worsened over the last three years.

India has expressed its displeasure over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which runs through territory claimed by India. Beijing has also blocked India’s attempt to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, despite Russian requests.

Beijing, on April 5, issued a sharp rebuke to New Delhi for allowing Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama to visit the Tawang Monastery in India’s state of Arunachal Pradesh. China claims the state (which is larger than Switzerland) as its territory, calling it South Tibet.

[vasu raya]

Russia is always welcome to show its displeasure with China by moving the Indian order for S-400 first over the Chinese one...

[BharataTalwar]

I came across this piece and honestly wanted to puke. Why is Porkistan being mentioned as some sort of superpawar?

Pakistan, Russia, China Attacking U.S. Interests In Afghanistan
By Polina Tikhonova
http://www.valuewalk.com/2017/04/pakist ... ghanistan/

Pakistan, Russia and China are one step closer to formalizing their alliance, with other nations – like Turkey and Iran – aimed at joining the superpower triangle
...
Fears that the U.S. may be interested in dragging out the Afghan war for its own strategic interests in the region have drawn Islamabad, Moscow and Beijing closer together. Some experts believe that the three nations may be planning to stage a Syria-style intervention in Afghanistan, and the possibility of a formal alliance between Pakistan, Russia and China could transform all of Asia.
...
The prospect of a China-Russia-Pakistan superpower triangle seems to be not only sending shockwaves around the world but also attracting other countries to joining the three allied nations as they seek solutions to some of the most pressing issues while also boosting trade, economic relations, military and security ties.
...
Earlier this year, Iran formally expressed its interest in joining the alliance of Islamabad, Moscow and Beijing to help find a political solution to the Afghan war. After seemingly giving up hope of joining the European Union, Turkey has also shown a great amount of interest in joining Russia, China and Pakistan to possibly form a superpower circle.
...
Last month, sources within the Pakistan Army claimed that they had spoken to new U.S. generals within the Trump administration and warned them that if the U.S. does not sort out the “total mess” in Afghanistan, Russia will.
...
Russia, China and Pakistan have already held a series of talks – both open and behind-closed-doors – on Afghanistan. The U.S. and India were excluded from some of the discussions. So much for our alliance
...
There have been multiple reports in recent months about thousands of ISIS fighters being sent to Afghanistan from Syria, something that would create major problems for all neighboring countries.
...

What is their end game??? We know that Pakis only have one end game and thats the complete annexation of Afghanistan into a greater Porkistan. Did Russia and China agree to this???? Seems the Iranians "requested" to join this unholy alliance, so it seems they are not getting a say in the matter.
What on earth is going on here?

[Bhurishravas]

^^ That is a paki site. Writers are delusional Paki. You are wasting your time on some fellows who have no brains but a website.

[BharataTalwar]

^^ That is a paki site. Writers are delusional Paki. You are wasting your time on some fellows who have no brains but a website.

I normally give no thought to Paki writers, but this appears to have been written by a Polina Tikhonova. Her Facebook seems to check out. Am I missing something?

[BharataTalwar]

In any case, whats up with the statement on ISIS militants being transported to Afghanistan, in lieu of Trump using the MOAB there? Who is transporting them? Is this really a US double game, in which case a Russia-China-Iran-Pak/Taliban alliance seems almost inevitable.

The only real option left is for India to actively get involved in the Afghan security situation in order to bring Iran and Russia back into the fold. Invest heavily and cut off Pakis completely and surround them. Nobody wants to touch Afghanistan with a barge-pole and of course Pakis are volunteering from the goodness of their hearts, knowing they are responsible for the mess in the first place. How Russia is falling for this is beyond me, but it seems everyone has lost the will to fight these psychos.

Whats not helping is the US and Russians supposedly seeing ISIS everywhere and legitimising Paki claims. What the hell was Trump even playing at? Bombing the Islamic State of "Iraq and Syria", in the middle of Afghanistan?

[rsingh]

Polina Tikhonova: Most of her writings are biased without any solid reasoning. True OxfordianLibral, trying to find her place under Sun. Just ignore.

[Bart S]

^^ That is a paki site. Writers are delusional Paki. You are wasting your time on some fellows who have no brains but a website.

I normally give no thought to Paki writers, but this appears to have been written by a Polina Tikhonova. Her Facebook seems to check out. Am I missing something?

For 20$ an hour you can hire her to write whatever crap you want.
https://www.upwork.com/o/profiles/users ... 4b13f081a/

That is, if she is a real person and not Ahmed Qureshi (aka paki pappu aka Christina Palmer - google it) in disguise.

As RSingh saar said, don't waste time reading nobodies and delusional pakis.

[Austin]

Indians can visit Russia’s far east without visas ‘to boost tourism, investment’

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-new ... html[quote]

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that tourists and businessmen from India and 17 other countries can visit the country’s far east without visas to boost tourism and investment in the region.

Medvedev said on Monday that businessmen and tourists will not need to undergo the traditional procedure of Russian visas receipt.

According to the official site of the Russian Cabinet, the list of 18 countries comprises Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, India, Iran, Qatar, China, North Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, Mexico, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey and Japan, Tass news agency reported.

“I have recently approved the list of countries, whose nationals can take advantage of the preferential regime,” Medvedev said.

“We are pro actively forming the modern infrastructure and creating special regimes in the far east; the law on visits to the Vladivostok free port was approved in March,” he said.

Cancellation of visa procedures for tourists and businessmen “will promote growth of investment and tourist attractiveness of the far east,” the Prime Minister said.

The region will earn more money from tourist traffic growth, he added.

Eighteen countries from various regions selected by the reciprocity principle were included into the list, Medvedev said.

“This is not because these states are situated at a closer or longer distance - we are appropriately introducing bilateral agreements on visa-free travel for those ready to use such an approach for us,” he said.
[/quote]

[Austin]

India, Russia to hold major tri-Service 'Indra' combat exercise for first time this year

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 254733.cms

NEW DELHI: In the first such tri-Service wargames, India will hold a major combat exercise with Russia this year to crank up military-to-military ties between the two long-standing strategic partners.

"The Indra exercise, to be held in Russia, will include assets and manpower from the Army, Navy and IAF. This is the first time India will deploy the three services together for an exercise with a country," said a defence ministry source.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley, incidentally, will also be visiting Russia in his capacity as the defence minister for the Moscow Conference on International Security on April 25-26.

Though Russia has been India's largest defence supplier for long, notching up military sales worth over $50 billion since the 1960s, their armed forces do not exercise much together.

In sharp contrast, India and US hold a flurry of exercises every year, ranging from the top-notch naval Malabar wargames (with Japan now a regular participant) to the counter-terror Vajra Prahar & Yudh Abhyas Ines between their armies. The US has also bagged Indian arms contracts worth $15 billion since 2007, even overtaking Russia in annual sales over the last four years, as earlier reported by TOI.

But India and Russia have now resolved to expand their military-to-military ties. "The first initial planning conference has already been held with Russia to discuss the exercise scenario, assets and manpower for the tri-Service Indra. Two more such conferences will be held soon to finalise everything," said the source.

The major exercise comes at a time when India is planning far-reaching defence reforms to usher in some much-needed synergy among the three services, with the creation of a chief of defence staff post in the short-term as well as integrated theatre commands in the years ahead.

While Indian and Russian armies and navies have been separately holding their Indra exercises off-and-on for the last few years, the first-ever bilateral air combat exercise "Avia Indra" was held in the Astrakhan region, near the Caspian Sea, in 2014.

Incidentally, during the Modi-Putin summit in Goa in October 2016, India had inked pacts with Russia to acquire five S-400 Triumf advanced air defence missile systems, four Grigorivich-class frigates and 200 Kamov-226T light helicopters, while also sealing the lease of a second nuclear-powered submarine after INS Chakra, all together worth around $10.5 billion, as was then reported by TOI.

[Bhurishravas]

Indians can visit Russia’s far east without visas ‘to boost tourism, investment’

This is a good initiative but Far East would be too far from India. Flight costs might be prohibitive.