India-Russia: News & Analysis

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Jan 2014 20:18

sivab · Post by **sivab** » 12 Jan 2014 03:51

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 694734.cms

Russian sailors roam naked on Karwar beach, cops in a tizzy

KARWAR: The behaviour of Russian naval personnel who accompanied INS Vikramaditya to Karnataka's Karwar caused some embarrassing situations on Saturday.

About 120 Russians came with the aircraft carrier to train Indian naval personnel.

On Saturday, some of them went out shopping and drank alcohol in public while moving around on the main roads. This made many people uncomfortable especially women. When journalists caught this on camera, these personnel said 'thank you' without knowing why they were being photographed. Some even shook hands with people from the media.

On Saturday, about 50 Russians were found swimming in the nude off Karwar beach which made the large number of tourists present there uncomfortable. The police had to intervene and convinced the Russians that it was not allowed on the beaches in Karnataka. The Russians left soon after that.

"We found it difficult to communicate with them as most of them don't understand English," said a police officer. But locals were angry by this behaviour. 'It's not their mistake. It's the mistake of Indian Navy staff who didn't educate them about the local culture," said Prem Naik, a shopkeeper.

The Indian Navy should educate these men about the dos and don'ts of behaving in public before allowing them to move around in Karwar," said MN Naik, a retired teacher.

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 12 Jan 2014 06:51

Just post this picture on the beach.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Jan 2014 19:46

Vladimir Putin's interview on occasion of Sochi Games.

I want Sochi Games to show the world a new Russia - Putin

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 02 Feb 2014 21:18

Interview with New Indian ambassador to Russia P.S. Raghavan

Economic cooperation “both a challenge and an opportunity” - P.S. Raghavan

Lilo · Post by **Lilo** » 03 Feb 2014 00:12

Russia Fumes Over Cancellation of Goa Music Festival

A last-minute withdrawal of consent by the Goa government for holding an international music festival has sparked a diplomatic row, with the Russian Embassy terming the decision as an "insolent and starkly unfriendly gesture" of the state authorities.

The two-day 'Great Live Music Festival' organised by a Russian company was to start in Goa yesterday, but state government withdrew its consent at short notice.

Well-known bands from India such as Indian Ocean and Parikrama as well as Russian bands were to perform at the festival.

"We consider the disruption of the festival to be shameless and frankly unfriendly gesture on the part of state authorities," Alexey Mzareulov, Deputy Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai told reporters here.

In New Delhi, the Russian Embassy came out with a strongly worded statement asking the state government to stop further hostility to Russian tourists in Goa, who make a significant financial contribution to the development of the state.

"Disruption of the International Music Festival - Great Live Music-2014, organized by a Russian company in Goa from January 31-February 1 is an insolent and a starkly unfriendly gesture of the state authorities," it said.

It said the refusal to grant permission to hold it made under a contrived pretext at the last moment has angered many Indian and international musicians, numerous guests and contradicts common sense.

"It will inevitably affect the popularity of this tourist region," the statement added.

The statement said that an attempt to link this wonderful large-scale cultural event, which acquired so much popularity since its first time a year ago and was eagerly awaited by thousands of tourists, to the scandal over the local taxi drivers carrying Russians looks provocative.

It said that such rash actions do not go in line with the intention stated by the Goa government to turn this place into a world-class resort.

"Moreover, they contradict the traditions of friendship and mutual understanding which the peoples of Russia and India enjoy. The Embassy hopes that the state authorities will manage to find a worthy way out of this situation," the statement added.

Local BJP MLA Michael lobo had opposed the event, saying that it was being held in the vicinity of a church.

Mzareulov said refusal under "false pretences" at the last moment had angered Indian and international musicians.

"Such reckless actions are contrary to the state's intention to turn itself into world-class resort and also contrary to the traditions of friendship and mutual understanding between the Russian and the Indian peoples," he said.
http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=827244

drug mafia connection ?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Feb 2014 16:24

In US, headlines write themselves: Cold War imagery resurrected in Sochi bashing

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 16 Feb 2014 18:58

Concern over Ukraine (an American assessment):
http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semp ... -hand.html

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 26 Feb 2014 17:37

Russia, India to consider free trade deal
Economy
February 26, 15:45 UTC+4

NEW DELHI, February 26. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia and India agreed to form a working group to consider prospects of a free trade agreement between India and the Customs Union, the trade bloc that brings together Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, the Indian Ministry of Industry and Commerce said in an official statement made public after talks between Indian Minister of Industry and Commerce Anand Sharma and visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin in the Indian capital on Wednesday.

Other priority bilateral projects that the negotiators discussed include setting-up of a joint venture to produce light multipurpose helicopters Kamov Ka-226T and construction of a first Indian butyl rubber-producing plant.

During current visit to India, Dmitry Rogozin will also meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 27 Feb 2014 04:04

A_Gupta wrote:Concern over Ukraine (an American assessment):
http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semp ... -hand.html

Comment:

b', different clue:

As with U.S. policy towards Israel and the ME, U.S. policy towards the former Soviet space quite patently cannot be explained simply in terms of ‘realist’ conceptions of national interest. Nor is this simply a matter of 'R2P' rhetoric spinning out of control.

Look for example at the biography of Brzezinski.

‘Zbigniew Brzezinski was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1928. His family, members of the nobility (or "szlachta" in Polish), bore the Trąby coat of arms and hailed from Brzeżany in Galicia. This town is thought to be the source of the family name. Brzezinski's father was Tadeusz Brzeziński, a Polish diplomat who was posted to Germany from 1931 to 1935; Zbigniew Brzezinski thus spent some of his earliest years witnessing the rise of the Nazis. From 1936 to 1938, Tadeusz Brzeziński was posted to the Soviet Union during Joseph Stalin's Great Purge.’

(See http://forum.prisonplanet.com/index.php ... 064.0;wap2 )

Brzezany is south-east of Lviv, in what is now the West Ukraine. When the Soviets moved into the area, then part of Poland, in the wake of the Nazi-Soviet Pact, they ‘purged’ the Polish elite – there was the small matter of the Katyn massacre, as well as mass deportations.

When the Germans moved in, following their repudiation of the Pact, they did their best to liquidate what remained of the elite, as well as the Jewish population.

It is hardly surprising that people with Brzezinski’s background, or indeed descendants of Jews who came to the United States to escape pogroms in Tsarist times – of whom I think Victoria Nuland may be one – are Russophobic. Whether this makes them a constructive influence on policymaking is another matter.

Haresh · Post by **Haresh** » 01 Mar 2014 16:11

Has anyone actually heard of this incident??

Russian tourist left with horrific injuries by Indian mob who attacked him after he unwittingly rang sacred bell and local doctors refused to treat him

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... t-him.html

It has not been reported on the RT.com site or by anyone else.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 01 Mar 2014 18:30

Look how Russia has rewarded its Olympic heroes.3 classes of Mercs for them!
Medvedev Presents Mercedes to Russia's Olympic Medalists
http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140227/187 ... lists.html

Meanwhile,the Russian Navy has begun visits to Cuba again giving rise to speculation about future naval bases.
Arrival of naval ship in Cuba could hint at Russian naval base

http://insidecostarica.com/2014/02/28/a ... aval-base/

By Daniel Lastra / VOXXI

February 28th, 2014 – A Russian warship was found docked in Havana’s harbor this week, with no explanation or announcement by the Cuban government, leaving many to wonder if this is the start to build a Russian naval base in the island, a move reminiscent of the Cold War.

French news wire agency AFP reported the finding on the same day that Russia announced its plans to expand its military bases outside its borders in several foreign countries, including Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and the Sychelles on Wednesday.

RIA Novosti news agency reports that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made the announcement saying Russia plans “to expand permanent military presence outside its borders by placing military bases in a number of foreign countries.”

The Viktor Leonov CCB-175, measuring 300 feet long was spotted docked at the port of Havana’s cruise ship area, near the Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

The last vestige of Russian military installations after the Cold War in Cuba was a radar base they shut down in 2002 because of financial constraints. According to RIA, Moscow’s only naval base currently outside of the Soviet Union resides in Tartus, Syria, but the ongoing civil war in that country is making the fate of that base uncertain. Russia is on a campaign to expand its military presence worldwide to protect its interests.

Yesterday it was revealed that Russia also has its eye on developing a military or naval base in Nicaragua, and Costa Rica is not thrilled about the idea.

Unlike with other tours by Russian warships making a stop in Cuba, state media have not announced the ship’s visit or its purpose this time around, adding to the mystery surrounding the ship.

The AFP reports: “The Vishnya, or Meridian-class intelligence ship, which has a crew of around 200, went into service in the Black Sea in 1988 before it was transferred seven years later to the northern fleet, Russian media sources said.”

Cuba has been seen as one of the last outposts of communism in the Western hemisphere and has been considered instrumental in exporting its brand of communist-socialism to Venezuela under Chavista rule. With the rising tide of unrest in Venezuela more international attention has been placed on the two Latin American countries, while the stronger presence of Russia on the island could mean stronger economic and financial ties between the three.

nvishal · Post by **nvishal** » 02 Mar 2014 23:26

Haresh wrote:Has anyone actually heard of this incident??

If its really true then this idiot must have done something actually stupid then just ring a temple bell.

Haresh · Post by **Haresh** » 03 Mar 2014 00:43

nvishal,

That's exactly what I thought, he must have done something really offensive.
The newspaper the Daily Mail is a well known anti-India rag.
They haven't told the full story.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 03 Mar 2014 04:24

Haresh wrote:Has anyone actually heard of this incident??

Russian tourist left with horrific injuries by Indian mob who attacked him after he unwittingly rang sacred bell and local doctors refused to treat him

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... t-him.html

It has not been reported on the RT.com site or by anyone else.

Are those injuries consistent with being beaten by a mob?

Seems to me more like something exploded in his face.

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 03 Mar 2014 04:49

nvishal · Post by **nvishal** » 03 Mar 2014 10:37

@Haresh

Goa tourism mostly attracts scumbags from around the world. Rural goa absolutely abhors them. The local administration is useless and prone to bribes. Many of the tourists overstay and settle indefinitely. They russians and israelis in particular have built a colony among themselves. They've somehow managed to buy lands and run all sorts of businesses like bars and travels agency and whatnot. They've made a presence in kerala too. The locals(particularly the villagers) don't tolerate this invasion.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Mar 2014 10:40

Nigerians have a strong camp too going by the recent incident.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 03 Mar 2014 11:53

Having been to Goa few times .... I find North Goa has hippy culture .....with drugs , prostitution , gambling and what not done very openly .....it also receives the largest amount of tourist.

While South Goa which also happens to be my native .....things are much calmer , the crowd is much less hippy .... no gambling etc the ills are far less prominent compared to North and Thank God for it.

Its seems the people in South which is residential has mostly resisted these ills.

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 03 Mar 2014 17:28

A_Gupta wrote:
Haresh wrote:Has anyone actually heard of this incident??

Russian tourist left with horrific injuries by Indian mob who attacked him after he unwittingly rang sacred bell and local doctors refused to treat him

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... t-him.html

It has not been reported on the RT.com site or by anyone else.
Are those injuries consistent with being beaten by a mob?

Seems to me more like something exploded in his face.

how is it that only one side of the face is attacked ? this is definitely not an assault...why would people beat up someone on one side only..notice that the wound does not even cross mid-line...why would someone be so determined in attacking only one side of the face and be so precise that the injuries do not even cross the midline ?
what kind of beating avulses the skin around mouth ?

My take is that it is caused by friction to that particular side of the face...or some blast injury... definitely not assault.

it could well be photoshopped ..

ps why is this news item not found anwhere other than daily mail ? I googled around... IMHO this is some crude piss ops against India...the only other places that have these are def and dumb forums and it is sourced from daily mail only...
Had it not been the facial avulsion ,docs would have labelled this as herpes zoster ,as it precisely affects one side of face onlee..the lesion looks similar to it...

Haresh · Post by **Haresh** » 04 Mar 2014 01:17

The daily wail is a real scummy turd of a paper. Hitler's favourite before WW2.

If we can get some emails flowing to the DM to find out the source of the story and get them to investigate and admit it is false then that would be great. We would need BRites to email the DM for clarification. Do we have any journalists on BR?
Maybe get other Indian papers to contact the DM.

The DM has embarked on an anti Indian crusade. At least 3 times a week a negative story about India.
They will have stories about the railway's and building projects in China, but never India.

The story about the Russian is to vague and it doesn't make sense.
I have googled the name of the village "Mandrem" there is nothing about the alleged attack, nothing except the DM.
I know plenty of Brit goras who have stayed in India for a long time and had no problems.
He either did something really bad and got beaten in a village (which I doubt)
Or he was done in by a drugs gang.
I can't find his so called Youtube appeal to Putin either.

nvishal · Post by **nvishal** » 04 Mar 2014 12:47

@ Haresh

Dailymail is a tabloid paper. You're taking them seriously.

There are many papers like DM around the world. They edit stories into gossip columns. They don't single out just india. They take the negative stories from all those countries that they have a problem with and post it on the front page.

DM's primary theme around india is portraying it as the rape capital nation of the world, violence against women, poverty and random violence from the rural side etc etc. Most of it is hogwash but it tells the western audience that they live in a civilised world. It tries to show that the "West" is better than the "East".

It's the same game that pakistan play against india where it tells its population that india is a backward, caste riddled, poor etc etc country in an attempt to give them hope.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 16 Mar 2014 06:54

With the Ukranian/Crimean crisis hotting up,it will very soon be time for India to stand up and be counted.With the incredibly asinine and arrogant stand of the US in its appalling sexual harassment and treatment of Indian diplomat Devyani,where new case against has been made even after the first was thrown out by a US court,India should show the US the upturned finger in this crisis.It has already hinted at that in the previous MEA comments,saying that Russia has legitimate interests in the nation.

It is now time to take an even bolder stand and openly support Russia in its hour of crisis just as Russia stood by India in 1971 over Bangladesh. In fact,this crisis should be used by India and Russia is an opportunity to cement its close friendship and traditional ties even further.Russia has hinted at dumping the dollar as its international currency of exchange.A return to the old Rupee-Rouble trade which benefited both nations would be worth serious examination.

http://rt.com/news/moscow-rally-crimea-support-098/
Meanwhile Putin has the overwhelming support of the Russian people for any bold actions that may be absolutely neccessary to actually prevent a US/NATO takeover of Ukraine through the puppet Kiev clique.

Thousands have gathered in Moscow for a rally ‘In Support of Crimea and Against Fascism’ on the eve of the independence referendum in the Ukrainian autonomous republic. A rival peace rally attracted as many supporters.

A crowd of demonstrators, led by the public movement Essence of Time (Sut’ Vremeni), marched Saturday through downtown Moscow to show their solidarity with Crimeans, the majority of whom are ethnic Russians. Many were waving red flags and Russian tricolors and holding placards with slogans such as “Crimea, we are with you!”, “Russia doesn’t ditch its people” and “Ukraine and Russia are together against Fascism.”

Essence of Time members - all dressed in same red jackets and black hats with the movement’s logos - were followed by activists of other political parties and groups and ordinary Muscovites who believe Russia should support its compatriots living in the autonomous republic on the Black Sea.

People participate in the "Brotherhood and Civil Resistance March" in Moscow March 15, 2014. (Reuters/Tatyana Makeyeva)
The protesters then gathered for a rally on Revolution Square near the Kremlin, where the leader of Essene of Time, Sergey Kurginyan, delivered an emotional speech, vowing to rebuke Nazi supporters in Russia.

According to the political activist, that “there were many Russians among radical protesters in Ukraine” who share ideas of Nazi collaborator and the leader of Ukrainian Nationalist party Stepan Bandera. “Local followers of Bandera supporters, who licked the boots of Russophobes this winter, were training in Kiev to later succeed in Moscow,” he said.

“There will be no Maidan in Moscow!” Kurginyan stated to the approval of demonstrators.

People participate in the "Brotherhood and Civil Resistance March" in Moscow March 15, 2014. (Reuters/Tatyana Makeyeva)
Demonstrations and other events in support of Crimea were also held Saturday in other cities across Russia.

In Tambov, southeastern Russia, about 5,000 people took to the streets to “protest against political extremism and the destruction of centuries-long unity of Slavic people and support the right of the autonomous republic of Crimea to self-determination,” the head of the town Aleksey Kondratiyev said, as cited by Itar-Tass.

Addressing the demonstrators, Kondratiyev said that a bunch of people who organized coup in Kiev are now attempting to rewrite history and “turn heroes into traitors, and liberators into invaders.”

“Russia should help its brothers in a difficult situation,” he said.

Around 10,000 people took part in a rally in Cheboksary, the capital of the Chuvash Republic, while a demonstration in Tula, 19 km south of Moscow, gathered 8,000 activists, according to officials. Residents of Samara, Magadan, the town of Korsakov in Sakhalin, and St Petersburg also organized similar events.

People shout slogans during a rally, part of the "Brotherhood and Civil Resistance March", in central Moscow March 15, 2014. (Reuters/Tatyana Makeyeva)

Participants in the "Brotherhood and Civilan Resistance March" rally during procession with slogans "Against Maidan!" and "No Way for Fascism." (AFP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 17 Mar 2014 03:22

Putin's prize from the UN.
http://rt.com/news/

Far East bonanza: Resource-rich Sea of Okhotsk all Russian, UN confirms
Published time: March 15, 2014
RIA Novosti/Sergey Krivosheyev

A UN maritime commission has confirmed that 52,000 square kilometers in the middle of the Sea of Okhotsk in the Far East is now Russian continental shelf, opening the way for massive oil and gas exploration.

The enclave in the middle of the Okhotsk Sea has been recognized as part of Russia’s continental shelf in accordance with the UN Maritime Convention of 1982. So far the zone lay outside Russian jurisdiction because a part of the sea was not covered by the 200 nautical mile zone internationally recognized as area of exclusive economic interest.

“This event has effectively taken place,” Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergey Donskoy told journalists, stressing that the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf had made a “unanimous decision" which is "unconditional and has no retroactive effect.”

The minister said that from now on Russian laws are applied to all natural resources under the Okhotsk seabed. The new enclave that has been integrated into Russia is comparable to a territory of a European state like Switzerland, Netherlands or Slovakia.

The original application for the Okhotsk shelf was filed to the UN in 2001.

In November 2013, when the UN agreed with arguments presented by Russia that 52,000 square kilometers of the Sea of Okhotsk, which borders Japan, is part of the country’s continental shelf, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry described the enclave as a “real Ali Baba’s cave” since it has “plentiful precious minerals and natural resources.”

The 1.6 million square kilometers of the Okhotsk Sea have been poorly explored so far, so the area holds tremendous potential.

Up to 40 percent of the newly integrated maritime territory could hold natural resources, Russia 24 TV channel cited Geology and Geophysics expert Vladimir Glotov as saying.

Seabed oil deposits situated next to the Russian port of Magadan in the Sea of Okhotsk could reach up to 3 billion barrels of hydrocarbons. The first research work on the prospective Magadan-2 and Magadan-3 offshore blocks were held last summer. The research data is now being processed in E&P laboratories.

The Sea of Okhotsk has traditionally been known for its offshore fishing. The sea is rich in various kinds of fish, shellfish and crabs. before the UN ruling, Russian fishermen did not have the right to fish the whole sea.

In the 1990s, after the fall of the Soviet Union, poachers from various countries, particularly from Asia, used the loophole that the Sea of Okhotsk is not Russia’s internal sea to claim fishing rights in the area. Moscow had to distribute fishing quotas to prevent over-fishing of the sea.

From now on, Russian fisherman will be able to increase fishing volumes, because now they have the exclusive right to work in the middle of the sea, an area previously used predominantly by foreign fishing vessels.

Possession of the Sea of Okhotsk also puts the onus on Russian to protect the maritime environment and biodiversity of the sea, which includes orcas and whales, rare fish and shellfish species.

According to Donskoy, the UN decision is also “the first step in our Arctic applications, which will be ready in the near future.”

Russia’s Arctic claims include the huge seabed area of the Lomonosov Ridge and the Mendeleev Dome, which reach out into the floor of the Arctic Ocean as part of Russia’s continental shelf. Other countries that have claims on the Arctic seabed include Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United States.

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 17 Mar 2014 15:21

Philip wrote:With the Ukranian/Crimean crisis hotting up,it will very soon be time for India to stand up and be counted.With the incredibly asinine and arrogant stand of the US in its appalling sexual harassment and treatment of Indian diplomat Devyani,where new case against has been made even after the first was thrown out by a US court,India should show the US the upturned finger in this crisis.It has already hinted at that in the previous MEA comments,saying that Russia has legitimate interests in the nation.

It is now time to take an even bolder stand and openly support Russia in its hour of crisis just as Russia stood by India in 1971 over Bangladesh. In fact,this crisis should be used by India and Russia is an opportunity to cement its close friendship and traditional ties even further.Russia has hinted at dumping the dollar as its international currency of exchange.A return to the old Rupee-Rouble trade which benefited both nations would be worth serious examination.

if there was a way to actually support it, I would say give it a very serious thought.

Right now we are a spectator and Indian capabilities are not more than that. Russia can handle anything thrown at it by the security council, because of its veto. What remains is threat of US (not UN) sanctions and India has been trying to escape them with Iran and we will do that with russia as well.

What use does russia have if we bleated loudly?
http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.ht ... in+Ukraine
The below is the Indian MEA statement

ndia has been closely following the recent events in Ukraine, which include the tragic loss of several innocent lives and a change in Government. We have been concerned at the subsequent escalation of tension, especially in view of the presence of more than 5000 Indian nationals, including about 4000 students, in different parts of Ukraine. India welcomes recent efforts at reducing the tension and hopes that a solution to Ukraine’s internal differences is found in a manner that meets the aspirations of all sections of Ukraine’s population. It would be important, in this context, for a legitimate democratic process to find full expression through free and fair elections that provide for an inclusive society. India calls for sincere and sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure that issues between Ukraine and its neighbouring countries are resolved through constructive dialogue.

By that statement, we have said - we do not recognise the present coup govt. We want free and fair elections and the issues are only between ukraine and neighboring countries (read russia).

Remember as of today, russia publicly hasnt taken a public stand on crimean referendum. Whether russia wants to accept or not, Putin has not said. So where is the question of India making a foolish statement?

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 18 Mar 2014 09:41

Russia has recognised the Crimean vote,status an independent nation now until the Russiam parliament approves a merger.It is a fait accompli.The miniscule sanctions imposed by the US/EU is so ridiculous that they are being called by their own people as "toothless".

What will we do when Crimea is "absorbed" by Russia,withdraw diplomatic relations with Russia?

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 18 Mar 2014 21:52

Virupaksha wrote:
Philip wrote:With the Ukranian/Crimean crisis hotting up,it will very soon be time for India to stand up and be counted.With the incredibly asinine and arrogant stand of the US in its appalling sexual harassment and treatment of Indian diplomat Devyani,where new case against has been made even after the first was thrown out by a US court,India should show the US the upturned finger in this crisis.It has already hinted at that in the previous MEA comments,saying that Russia has legitimate interests in the nation.

It is now time to take an even bolder stand and openly support Russia in its hour of crisis just as Russia stood by India in 1971 over Bangladesh. In fact,this crisis should be used by India and Russia is an opportunity to cement its close friendship and traditional ties even further.Russia has hinted at dumping the dollar as its international currency of exchange.A return to the old Rupee-Rouble trade which benefited both nations would be worth serious examination.
if there was a way to actually support it, I would say give it a very serious thought.

Right now we are a spectator and Indian capabilities are not more than that. Russia can handle anything thrown at it by the security council, because of its veto. What remains is threat of US (not UN) sanctions and India has been trying to escape them with Iran and we will do that with russia as well.

What use does russia have if we bleated loudly?
http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.ht ... in+Ukraine
The below is the Indian MEA statement

ndia has been closely following the recent events in Ukraine, which include the tragic loss of several innocent lives and a change in Government. We have been concerned at the subsequent escalation of tension, especially in view of the presence of more than 5000 Indian nationals, including about 4000 students, in different parts of Ukraine. India welcomes recent efforts at reducing the tension and hopes that a solution to Ukraine’s internal differences is found in a manner that meets the aspirations of all sections of Ukraine’s population. It would be important, in this context, for a legitimate democratic process to find full expression through free and fair elections that provide for an inclusive society. India calls for sincere and sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure that issues between Ukraine and its neighbouring countries are resolved through constructive dialogue.
By that statement, we have said - we do not recognise the present coup govt. We want free and fair elections and the issues are only between ukraine and neighboring countries (read russia).

Remember as of today, russia publicly hasnt taken a public stand on crimean referendum. Whether russia wants to accept or not, Putin has not said. So where is the question of India making a foolish statement?

+1. India have to be very very careful about overtly supporting this referendum tamasha. China is doing the same.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 19 Mar 2014 14:34

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/m ... world-view

Vladimir Putin's message to the west: Russia is back
In address to adoring MPs, president makes clear the Ukraine crisis is a sign that Russia will no longer take things lying down

Simon Tisdall
theguardian.com, Tuesday 18 March 2014

Vladimir Putin
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, centre, accompanied by Crimean leaders, at a treaty signing ceremony for Crimea to join Russia, at the Kremlin. Photograph: Sergei Ilnitsky/AP

Vladimir Putin likes to take his kit off in public. But Tuesday's exhibition of naked power by Russia's president at a joint parliamentary session in Moscow was delivered fully clothed before a conservatively suited audience of officials and adoring, applauding fans dressed up as MPs.

Speaking at a white rostrum amid flags, flourishes and gold leaf, a dapper-looking Putin's message was clear: after years of being cheated and dissed by the western powers, Russia is back. The US and friends could like it or lump it. But as the Ukraine crisis showed, Russia would no longer take it lying down.

Putin spoke primarily about Crimea, whose cause was "sacred" and whose return to the Russian fold was justified, democratic and legal. But his broader theme was that Russia was finally standing up for its rights nearly a quarter of a century after the Soviet collapse.

Russia was fully aware of the possible negative consequences in its relations with the west of Crimea's annexation, he said. But in handing over the region to Ukraine in 1954 like "a sack of potatoes", Nikita Khrushchev had erred, and now that wrong was being righted.

Crimea's independence, declared on Monday, lasted precisely 24 hours. Sugaring the pill, Putin went out of his way to placate the Tartar minority, which largely boycotted Sunday's referendum, promising equal language rights, acknowledgement of Stalin-era injustices, and full rehabilitation into a "common homeland".

The Tartars, he said, were back where they belonged – an assurance those with longer memories may find alarming.

He also pledged support for a strong, prosperous Ukraine, claiming Russia was not planning to rescue ethnic Russian minorities in "other regions after Crimea … we don't need that". This may come as a relief to politicians and pundits proclaiming a new cold war – if they believe him, that is.

At the same time, Putin directed some trademark insults at the new government in Kiev, whose leaders he said had seized power in a coup last month using "terror, violence and pogroms". These people were neo-Nazis, nationalists, antisemites and anti-Russians whose antecedents could be traced back to Adolf Hitler. "There is no one to negotiate with [in Kiev]. I'm not kidding." Following this undemocratic putsch, Russia could not possibly have left Crimea "in the lurch". To do so would have been treachery.

And anyway, he said, Crimeans had a right to self-determination, just like the people of Kosovo or any other aspiring independent nation. He did not mention Scotland. Luckily for Alex Salmond, there are not many distressed ethnic Russians on the Upper Clyde.

Putin is no orator. His delivery is wooden. His expression rarely changes. A smile seems like a concession. Even when his words grow angry and accusatory, his face remains impassive. This surface lack of feeling, concealing deep resentments, has a chilling effect.

While his address to the Duma covered a wide range of issues including relations with the US and Germany, it was in large part a 50-minute whinge, a disappointed man's whine about life's unfairness and a historical determinism that boomeranged on its most devout adherents.

Putin is a master of the politics of grievance. The sudden collapse of the Soviet Union meant that "millions" of Russians had gone to bed in one country and woken up in another. The Russian motherland – the rodina – had been divided, then preyed upon by its enemies.

It was "inconceivable" that Russia and Ukraine should have been separated, he said, but that is what had happened. The ill-fated Commonwealth of Independent States was supposed to hold the former Soviet lands together, but it had been betrayed.

The western powers led by America had wilfully destroyed the power balance of the bipolar world. "The west believed it was entrusted by God to decide the fate of other peoples," he complained. They used pressure and coalitions to get what they wanted, and if they did not, they ignored the UN security council and used military force.

This is what had happened in 1999, when Belgrade, capital of Russia's ally Serbia, was bombed by Nato. Something similar had happened in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Because of western exploitation and manipulation, the Arab spring had become the "Arab winter".

Russia itself, meanwhile, had been "cheated and deceived" as Nato steadily expanded eastwards, the US pursued missile defence plans, and issues such freer trade and visa liberalisation were delayed.

Putin's bitterness and bile poured out unchecked, mixed up with an apparently bolstered but unfounded confidence that the US and the EU are virtually incapable of beating back Russia's new cross-border assertiveness.

Western countries claimed Russia had broken international law by intervening in Crimea, he said. But this was sheer hypocrisy – another glaring example of the double standards displayed by the US and others. "It is good they realise international law still exists. Better late than never," he said.

sarkar · Post by **sarkar** » 19 Mar 2014 15:07

There could be no better time than now to payback Russia for supporting IN immensely in 1971. But the problem with us is that USA is as much an ally to India as Russia. Our foreign policy is to be friends with every country(even with our greenland neighbor). This is what makes India different from the rest of world, but it simply hampers our decision to take a side. This policy of pleasing every nation is so bad that we cannot even take actions across the LOC.

World has become lazy, Russia acted swiftly. Something IN have to learn, than passing useless dossiers.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 19 Mar 2014 16:20

Philip wrote:With the Ukranian/Crimean crisis hotting up,it will very soon be time for India to stand up and be counted.With the incredibly asinine and arrogant stand of the US in its appalling sexual harassment and treatment of Indian diplomat Devyani,where new case against has been made even after the first was thrown out by a US court,India should show the US the upturned finger in this crisis.It has already hinted at that in the previous MEA comments,saying that Russia has legitimate interests in the nation.

Well DK issue should not be linked with positions that India may have in other issues. Strict reciprocity is the answer in DK issue. While we should tread cautiously on Crimean Issue lest it be used as ruse by separatists in future and India may not have dearth of them and US may have some stake in them as well. J&K comes to mind easily. JMT

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 19 Mar 2014 18:59

^^^
That is correct. Apart from J&K, North East is being prepared by conversions.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 21 Mar 2014 07:28

These parts of India are not our "near abroad",but part and parcel of India's soul,therein lies the difference.Like Kiev historically,which has always been part of Russia's soul,the Ukraine has temporarily detached itself thanks to the USSR's economic collapse and the "regime change" manipulations of the West and US in particular. The Ukraine will find its way back to Ruissia in the fullness of time,the Crimea is just the first step.

Unfortunately,Indian foreign policy under snake-oil,surrender monkey, MM Singh,has squeaked like a mouse instead of roaring like a lion. We display such servility and fear that we are taken as a joke today in international affairs.India's "near abroad" is not our north-eastern states (we have nothing to fear by kicking out NGOs quislings and trojan horses for firang interests) but Pakistan! That entity,founded upon hatred,intolerance and insularity,is bound to self-destruct before the first half of the 21st century.Bangaldesh was the half severed in the 20th century.We must be ready to pick up the pieces at the opportune moment just as Putin rescued the Crimea.

Please read the editorial in the Pioneer posted in the Ukraine td. which superbly analyses the events in the Ukraine/Crimea from the Indian viewpoint. By endorsing Russia's protection of the Crimea and its people India stands to gain much international respect (not from the "retreat-in-defeat" US and West and "back to the barracks,Barack"),we did the same thing in E.Pak 40+ years ago!

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 21 Mar 2014 20:27

Philip wrote:These parts of India are not our "near abroad",but part and parcel of India's soul,therein lies the difference.

India's "near abroad" is not our north-eastern states (we have nothing to fear by kicking out NGOs quislings and trojan horses for firang interests) but Pakistan! That entity,founded upon hatred,intolerance and insularity,is bound to self-destruct before the first half of the 21st century.Bangaldesh was the half severed in the 20th century.We must be ready to pick up the pieces at the opportune moment just as Putin rescued the Crimea.

Please read the editorial in the Pioneer posted in the Ukraine td. which superbly analyses the events in the Ukraine/Crimea from the Indian viewpoint. By endorsing Russia's protection of the Crimea and its people India stands to gain much international respect (not from the "retreat-in-defeat" US and West and "back to the barracks,Barack"),we did the same thing in E.Pak 40+ years ago!

All of India has historical and religious connection to Indians. J&K and northeast and Tibet has centuries of history connected to India.
Even entire Pakistan area and Indus is the core of the Indian civilization. There are temples in all these areas which Indians are planning to visit.

So any western views of India and Indian history has to be rejected and Indians should never support it. Even the minorities in he NE will be part of the India when their support from the west is stopped

sooraj · Post by **sooraj** » 23 Mar 2014 18:18

US likely to go after Russian Defence Industry and India likely will be on crossfire
http://idrw.org/?p=35095

Avarachan · Post by **Avarachan** » 29 Mar 2014 09:02

X-posted:

From: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogI ... 1230832186 (a commenter on the "Vineyard of the Saker" blog)

http://www.vz.ru/economy/2014/3/28/679490.html

(auto trans) "Bank "Russia" became the first national bank, which will work exclusively in Russia and only with their pocketbooks. Thus it will protect themselves and their clients from hostile and non-market activities of foreign financial partners and will become an island of security for a large number of companies and entrepreneurs working on domestic consumers, experts believe..."

______________________

The bank will be isolated from foreign bankster shenanigans and will only deal with domestic banking and use the Ruble exclusively. The Russians are working on their own versions of "Visa" and their own ratings system. This is expected to be the beginning of a new trend.

In other words, the Russians are fed up with western economic cheating and have decided to create their own economic system that will be insulated from the organised crime in the west that passes for a financial system. Long term, this could be the start of an international independent economic system that is not run by Tel Aviv-New York-London.

вот так
28 March, 2014 18:15

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 30 Mar 2014 03:11

Yes,the silver lining for the rest of the enslaved world-without them knowing it,will be the "Dismantling of the Dollar".Russia has already entered into trade with NoKo in roubles and who knows,we may yet see a return to Rupee-Rouble trade which will be beneficial to both nations.There are enough nations fed up with the bitter pills of the IMF and World Bank that keep them economically enslaved.With more bi-lateral trade with independent nations ,such as many of those in the NAM,the weakening of the dollar will be inevitable,that too coupled with the US's massive debt,the world's largest debtor nation!

Here are some interesting comments from readers of the western media.It is astonishing that more than 90% praise Putin,understand Russian interests in its "near abroad",and the truth of what is happening in eastern Europe with NATO's expansionist intent and the bullsh*t spewed out from the White House.The leaders of the western world should take stock of the opinion on the street if they want to survive before their own street protests boot them into history!

It's the US and Western humiliation over Syria by Russia that promoted the escalation in Ukraine to end Russia's access to the Mediterranean by it's Black sea fleet.

Russia would never let that happen so it moved quickly and decisively.

What will happen now is that the West has a basket case state on its front porch that it's wholly responsible for,and Russia has the castle in Crimea, it will build the biggest wall in history to keep the trouble on the western side of the fence,and it serves us right, about time we got a taste of the misery we've subjected millions to.

The UK has nothing fit to defend anymore, its opened every orfice it has to everyone and anyone from anywhere, including the Militant scumsuckers and AIDS spreaders; and the USA is drowning in debt and corrupting the globe; so its great to see Putin sticking his fingers up to heterosexual haters and Christian law haters. Lets hope things progress in Russia`s intellectual favour. The bubble in the West is gonna burst soon

Let's give the molotov cocktail fascist thug cheerleaders - John Kerry, John McCain, William (American lackey) Hague and the unelected Catherine (no constituency) Ashton, something civilised to think about; another dose of democracy - A Referundum in East & Southern Ukraine? Let's push democracy down their fascist thugs throats.

Come on, Mr. Putin, please let's have more democracy; Ukraine is crying out for it; but not the police murdering, Kiev, fascist nazis. They fear it.

We Love You Mr. Putin !!!
The, George Best, of International politics

'Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, said Moscow should also heed the easy passage on Thursday of a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning the snatching of Crimea, even if it had no legal teeth.'

The UN is a defunct institution that no longer serves its purpose. The five permanent members no longer represent the world. At the time it was created Britain and France still had many colonies, American was a power house, the Soviet block was huge and China was an alie who had suffered a lot and had a very big population. Come 60 years forward: Britain and France are insignificant, America is broke, the Soviet Union no longer exists and China represents about 25% of the world's population and is the world's 'factory'.
Basically the UN needs to change with the times. In a world of democracie that we the West seem so attached to, it is baffaling that one country can veto what the rest of the world wants. If democracie really exists, then the UN should have a voting system whereby if a motion is carried by more than 50%,then it should be accepted.
But then again I believe that democracy exists whereas in fact it is just a smoke screen to make people believe that our voice really matters.

Have you been watching and listening to the BBC and Channel 4? They have been very very naughty.Sackable naughty !!

Over the last few weeks the BBC & Channel 4 have taught me that Mr. Putin is the most evil man that has lived on Earth, Moon, Mars & Uranus.

And that is the reasons why I have come to Love Mr. Putin and the Russian people.

But the BBC & Channel 4 have told us very little about the Kiev fascist molotov cocktail police thug murdering cheerleaders: John Kerry, John McCain, William (American lackey) Hague and the unelected, Catherine (no constituency) Ashton - hug a fascist.

The BBC and Channel 4 are ethically & morally bankrupt !!

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 20 Apr 2014 06:56

ZIL is back into business of making presidential and state cars .. so no more Mercedes rides for Pres

Picture of new Presidential Car in making
http://www.sdelanounas.ru/blogs/48952/

Video of Family of New State Cars under works
http://youtu.be/6uO-gydV7XI

member_28440 · Post by **member_28440** » 20 Apr 2014 08:37

Meteor-like Fireball over Russia a US Spy Drone RQ-180 Shot Down by Laser Weaponry

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 20 Apr 2014 11:54

^^ Looks like some one wrote those report with tin foil hat on , That was most certainly a meteor and looked like one too

member_28440 · Post by **member_28440** » 22 Apr 2014 05:47

Russia’s New State Ideology a Strategic Weapon against depravities of West & Europe’s Contemporary Evil Culture