India-Russia: News & Analysis

Mukesh.Kumar · Post by **Mukesh.Kumar** » 06 Dec 2014 17:46

P.S. Recently been trying to visit Russian forums with help from Googly chacha. The amount of content regarding India (as an indicator of relationship status and geopolitical interest) is extremely poor. India seems mentioned only hyphenated with Pakistan.
Exhibit- Check all Branches of Political Section to see how low ranked India seems on Russian forums

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 07 Dec 2014 06:23

Austin wrote:

NageshKs. Is that the real reason, or is there a deeper, more unpalatable one?

Bad decision I think he should have done that ......Not that Parliament is critical to Foreign Policy for GOI of the day and its mostly the PM of the day that takes the decision but in good faith he should have.

Putin does not like to be in India. Same thing happened when he visited in 2007. He was bored beyond belief. He was sullen and his the wife was not sunshine either. He is transactional then and will be now.

He has little respect for India/Asia. He is really euro centric, preferring the company and culture of Berlusconi and the oligarchs.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2014 08:55

Cosmo_R wrote:
Putin does not like to be in India. Same thing happened when he visited in 2007. He was bored beyond belief. He was sullen and his the wife was not sunshine either. He is transactional then and will be now.

He has little respect for India/Asia. He is really euro centric, preferring the company and culture of Berlusconi and the oligarchs.

All Russian President visit is short and business like ......Putin does not like India what else he is anti-India

So if he spent 3 days in India that would the came of he likes India

Yes and his liking for Euro can be seen

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 07 Dec 2014 08:55

>>He has little respect for India/Asia. He is really euro centric, preferring the company and culture of Berlusconi and the oligarchs.

Boss, i'm not sure this can be substantiated by anything... especially the "preferring the company and culture of Berlusconi and the oligarchs"...

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2014 09:12

Looks like Dilli is put on Notice by US , Lets see how Dilli Acts

No Shadow of Vladimir Putin's India Visit on Barack Obama's Trip: US

Washington: The United States said Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India next week would not cast a shadow on President Barack Obama's trip in January, but added that "now is not the time for business as usual with Russia."

"I know there's a lot of rumours, often of trade deals or economic deals, but let's see what's actually put into practice here," US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters on Friday, adding, "Let's wait and see what comes from the visit."

President's Putin's trip to India will be the first since Prime Minister Narendra Modi swept to power in May and is expected to focus on boosting bilateral trade, which currently stands at US$ 10 billion, government officials said

"As we have said before, now is not the time for business as usual with Russia," Ms Harf said, adding, "We have conveyed this certainly to our allies and to our partners across the world."

But she made it clear that Mr Putin's trip would not impact President Obama's visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in January.

"It's not, not at all," she said. "Broadly speaking, that's our position on doing business with Russia."

"But again, India is a very, very close partner. Let's see what comes out of the actual visit, but we're confident things will continue as they are."

When pointed out that India has shared close ties with Russia, Ms Harf said, "Well, it's possible to have good relationships with multiple countries even when we disagree on things."

"But again, it's not, to my knowledge, impacting any visits one way or the other," she said.

But the US was watching the Russian President's visit to India, Ms Hard said, as "we watch a lot of things that go on around the world. I wouldn't express a large amount of concern, though."

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2014 09:39

Ahead of Putin's India visit, US warns not good time for business with Russia

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 07 Dec 2014 10:20

Shreeman wrote:Putin, or anyone else in Russia for that matter, doesnt really have a choice. alea jakta est.

Re. India, it does not have a voice. India is not china. Or Japan. India believes in having its balls trapped equally in every vise. China via Pakistan, Bangladesh, even Sri Lanka. France via not just Rafaile, but miraje and countless other screwdriver items. Russia via entire Army/navy/air force. And now the US via the other half of the hardware.

So, India will abstain. Take the middle road. Speak softly. Be non-committal. That is all India can do.

Russia might be asking for more vocal support. There has been no noise by India at any level during these developments.

the above is a brief but extraordinarily astute assessment. it sums up India's position in the world. cold, brisk analysis. we need more of this in the corridors of power than naive 10% GDP growth morons. hopefully, we have begun our journey in that direction - with the new dispensation (even if working under the old regime) in power.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2014 10:40

devesh wrote:
Shreeman wrote:Putin, or anyone else in Russia for that matter, doesnt really have a choice. alea jakta est.

Re. India, it does not have a voice. India is not china. Or Japan. India believes in having its balls trapped equally in every vise. China via Pakistan, Bangladesh, even Sri Lanka. France via not just Rafaile, but miraje and countless other screwdriver items. Russia via entire Army/navy/air force. And now the US via the other half of the hardware.

So, India will abstain. Take the middle road. Speak softly. Be non-committal. That is all India can do.

Russia might be asking for more vocal support. There has been no noise by India at any level during these developments.

the above is a brief but extraordinarily astute assessment. it sums up India's position in the world. cold, brisk analysis. we need more of this in the corridors of power than naive 10% GDP growth morons. hopefully, we have begun our journey in that direction - with the new dispensation (even if working under the old regime) in power.

I think that dilemma will always be there for India that should it speak or not for or against for all Foreign Policy issue , The Policy of "Do Nothing Sit Tight Stay Quite Look Pretty" has been adopted so far on most foreign policy issues but that wont really help India be heard any where....not even Pakistan. { remember the letter sent to 126 countries around the world post 26/11 and we still have Hafiz Sayeed spewing venom against India as of this day }

If India wishes to pursue Independent Foreign Policy then it needs an active voice not a passive one backed by action. That voice may be pro or against friends and allies but there has to be a voice

Coming back to Russia expectation , I think they dont have any knowing Indias foreign policy , They would be happy to get the Trade and Defence Deal going business as usual without India turning into hostile or adopting go slow approach that US suggests.

Any thing more said by India on Ukraine crisis or Russia on Indo-Pak crisis would be cream on the cake but not the cake itself.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2014 10:43

Outlook Take

The Premier And The Putintate

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2014 11:34

APEC Summit : Towards Multipolarity

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2014 11:46

Was Going through latest CBR statistics

FDI In Russia 2014 ( Q1 & Q2 ) - $23.795 Billion
http://www.cbr.ru/eng/statistics/credit ... try_e.xlsx

Russian Federation: Outward Foreign Direct Investments by Russian Residents 2014( Q1 & Q2 ) - $32.915 Billion
http://www.cbr.ru/eng/statistics/credit ... ntry_e.xls

External Debt is Reduced too ( Suraj can you look at External Debt Stastics and Make some sense ? )

External Debt of the Russian Federation as of September 2014 (estimate)

http://www.cbr.ru/eng/statistics/print. ... d=itm_8394
$ 678.435 Billion

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2014 14:53

Interview of Ambassador of India P.S. Raghavan

QUESTION 1: Your Excellency, Ambassador, could you tell what are the main bilateral cooperation matters will be discussed in India during the upcoming visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin? What results does India expect from the Russian official visit?

Answer: This is the first India-Russia Summit with the new government in office in India. The two leaders have already met twice this year but the Annual Summit gives them the opportunity to comprehensively review the current status of our relations, which cover virtually every area of human endeavor, and to articulate their vision for the course of our strategic and privileged partnership in the coming years. Besides, we expect that at the Summit a number of decisions would be made to further strengthen our cooperation in the field of defence, nuclear energy, space, trade & investment, hydrocarbons & other natural resources, science & technology, health, education, media and culture. There are particularly exciting opportunities to enhance our economic cooperation to the level commensurate with the complementarities between the economies of our two countries.

QUESTION 2: Russia for the past few years has intensified its strategic cooperation with the East. Does India, as a growing nation and an economic power, want to be a part of this growing activity?

Answer: History, geography, politics, economy and culture link India intimately with the Southeast Asian and East Asian regions. We are already engaged with our eastern partners - both bilaterally and multilaterally. The recent visits of our Prime Minister to Japan and Myanmar (for the India-ASEAN & East Asia Summit, where he met the leaders of countries of the region) are indicative of the depth and priorities of our relationship with the region. We have also had important visits to India from the region, including that of the President of the People’s Republic of China. At the ASEAN Summit in Myanmar, our Prime Minister unveiled the ‘Act East’ policy to begin a new era of economic development, industrialization and trade ties with our eastern partners.

QUESTION 3: What are the perspectives of India joining the Eurasian Economic and Customs Union in the nearest future?

Answer:We have been in regular discussion with the Eurasian Economic Commission about measures to strengthen the economic engagement between India and the Customs Union, which will soon become an Economic Union. We expect to create concrete institutional mechanisms soon for structured discussions on this between India and the Union.

QUESTION 4: Your Excellency, what impact may western sanctions against Russia and Russian sanctions against the EU (that were imposed in response to the American and the EU sanction regime) have on the Russian-Indian bilateral interaction? What are the industries that have the greatest potential in current conditions?

Answer:The relations between India and Russia have always been characterized by long-standing friendship and mutual trust. Our relations are not determined by external factors. We continue to make strong efforts to strengthen our bilateral interactions, particularly by increasing trade exchanges and exploring avenues for stepping up mutual investments.

QUESTION 5: As for the Russian-Indian economic cooperation, experts from both sides agreed on the fact that it does not fit with the current level of political partnership. What are the reasons for the slow grow of our economic cooperation?

Answer:I believe that the main reason is lack of full awareness about opportunities available in the Russian market for the Indian business community and vice-versa. Other than this, all conditions are in fact very favorable to a quantum jump in trade and investment flows. Our bilateral relationship is strong; we have regular people-to-people exchanges and many cultural affinities; and there are complementarities in our economies that encourage mutually beneficial economic exchanges. I think more regular exchanges of business delegations and participation in business-to-business meetings should promote this objective. We are working on a number of initiatives to promote more efficient information flows between the two countries, including stronger cooperation between regions.

QUESTION 6: Your Excellency, can you share your opinion on current level of the Russian-Indian political partnership?

Answer:India and Russia have enjoyed a long-standing relationship of friendship and mutual trust, spanning over many decades. It is a partnership built on shared convictions, strategic convergences and identity or similarity of use on major issues of international concern. Our political relations are reflected in an extensive network of bilateral consultations mechanisms, as well as cooperation within the United Nations, G-20, BRICS and a number of other formal and informal multilateral groupings. Our political relations are enriched by regular exchanges of high level bilateral visits, including at the highest levels and between our Parliaments. Besides the practice of Annual Summit meetings, which has continued since 2000, our leaders also meet in various other settings. Our PM and President Putin have already met twice in the last six months – on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in July and at the G-20 Summit in November. Our PM also met the PM of the Russian Federation on the margins of the East Asia Summit in November. We are confident that the forthcoming visit to India of the President of the Russian Federation will provide fresh impetus to our already vibrant bilateral relations.

QUESTION 7: As far as the Russian-Indian Corridor is concerned, many experts believe that it can do wonders and boost the mutual trade volumes between two countries. What needs to be done in order for this transit route to become an active instrument of our economic cooperation?

Answer:Recently, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry of Government of India had conducted a trial run on the proposed International North-South Transport Corridor. The results of the study indicate that there will be considerable saving in the transportation time as well as the freight cost if the cargo is exported from India to Russia through this corridor which will start from Mumbai to Bandar Abbas port in Iran, pass through Iran and then to Astrakhan in Russia over the Caspian Sea. We need to encourage exporters, freight forwarders and shipping companies to use this route in order to make it financially viable. The route has the potential to transform trading relations between our two countries.

QUESTION 8: Your Excellency, these days Russia and China have been very successful in using their national currencies in mutual trade. Is there an intention to shift to national currencies of India and Russia from dollar in bilateral trade?

Answer:India and Russia are working towards use of national currencies in bilateral trade. The Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Russia are in the process of evolving modalities for settlement of transactions in national currencies. We feel that trading in local currencies will help enhance our bilateral economic and trade relations.

QUESTION 9: During the last visit of the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin to India in June countries discussed the possibility of Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) planes to be assembled in India. Do we witness a shift in bilateral ties with the emphasis on military cooperation between two counties?

Answer:Since the coming to office of a new government in India, India and Russia have been in discussions on a number of new economic cooperation initiatives. The ‘Make in India’ initiative launched by our PM in September this year has received an enthusiastic response in Russia. We are discussing a number of proposals for joint manufacturing in India for systems and equipment, both for defence and for civilian applications. This has included aircraft and helicopters. We are confident that in the near future, we will take up a number of such projects for joint manufacturing.

QUESTION 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among 50 contenders for the Time magazine's ‘Person of the Year 2014’ title to be announced next month. How does the Indian society react to these news? Isn't it an another occasion to celebrate the Indian national pride?

Answer:You are aware that in the recent parliamentary elections, India gave a decisive mandate to PM Modi. His new government has launched a number of initiatives to spur growth and development in India and to strengthen India’s network of external relationships. We take pride in this new dynamism and we are always happy when the achievements of our country and of our PM get due recognition within and outside the country.

QUESTION 11: Your Excellency, can you share your opinion on the outcome of the situation with five Indian fisherman that were sentenced to death in Sri Lanka and just recently were released after President Mahinda Rajapaksa commuted their death penalty. The issue of fishermen is a very emotive matter for both Sri Lanka and India. Do you consider a fact of their release as a victory of the Indian diplomacy?

Answer:Sri Lanka is a close neighbor and valued partner of India. We have a tradition of resolving any bilateral issues that may arise in the framework of our strong and multifaceted bilateral relations, which includes a close rapport between the leaders of our two countries.

QUESTION 12: On the 6th BRICS summit in Brazil the group of countries signed the document to create the US$100 billion BRICS Development Bank and a reserve currency pool worth over another US$100 billion. In the light of the event, what are the perspectives and a role of BRICS at the world arena?

Answer: There is immense potential for intra-BRICS cooperation, as they constitute over 30% of the world land area, 42% of population and 21% of the global GDP. Besides, as our Prime Minister noted at the BRICS Summit, the member countries can intensify cooperation on counter terrorism, cyber-security, climate change, reform of the UNSC and in shaping the post-2015 development agenda, as well as the international trade regime under the WTO, so as to restore a climate of peace and stability in the world.

QUESTION 13: BRICS partners plan to establish a system of multilateral swaps that will allow to transfer resources to one or another country. Experts believe that if the current trend continues, soon the dollar will be abandoned by most of the economies-members of BRICS. Can you share your opinion regarding this trend?

Answer:That is a very large question. I would like to focus on our bilateral situation. As I mentioned, India and Russia have been discussing trade in national currencies as an initiative to significantly increase the volume of bilateral exchanges of goods. Our Central Banks have recently set up a Joint Working Group to work out modalities. There have also been talks between the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) and the Vnesheconombank for a guarantees cooperation arrangement, by which they would facilitate loans in local currencies for Indian and Russian companies seeking to invest in each others’ countries. This arrangement could boost mutual investment.

James B · Post by **James B** » 08 Dec 2014 15:36

Manu Pubby
@manupubby

Russian Ambassador says MiG fighters will stop falling when India stops buying counterfeit parts from places like Israel.

Looks like Russians are really losing it.

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 08 Dec 2014 18:36

Russia may set up 20-24 nuclear energy units in India: Envoy

NEW DELHI: Russia may set up a total of 20-24 nuclear energy units in India against previously agreed 14-16 plants as both countries are likely to come out with a roadmap for cooperation in the crucial energy sector during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Delhi for annual summit talks on Thursday.

Russian ambassador Alexander Kadakin on Monday said both countries are likely to start negotiations for setting up of unit five and six at the Kudankulam nuclear power complex soon and may sign a technical pact for unit 3 and 4 during Putin's visit.

"We have big plans on nuclear energy cooperation," he said, addressing a press conference ahead of the Russian leader's visit.

Kadakin said trial run for unit 2 of Kudankulam nuclear power should start in March and that technical glitches in unit one are being resolved.

"Russia had agreed to help India build 14-16 nuclear units. Now it seems that the demand of India is much bigger and this may rise to 20-24 units," he said.

Asked about escalation of cost in setting up of nuclear power plants, he chose not to link it to clauses in India's nuclear liability laws and only said prices have gone up everywhere.

"Cooperation between the two countries in peaceful uses of nuclear energy will prominently figure at the Summit level talks. More than that a very serious and important document is on the anvil which relates to our common vision of joint work in our efforts to satisfy India's requirement in energy through building a series of nuclear plants," the envoy said.

He said Russia was also expecting from the Indian side the name of the new site for another "cascade of nuclear power units".

Kadakin also took potshots at the western powers, saying the summit is taking place "against the background of a burdened international milieu, when we face increasing pressure of the US and their allies, trying to force our country to succumb its state sovereignty and act against our own national interests".

"This will never happen, and these daydreaming minions should better get rid of illusions that Russia would ever act under anybody's diktat or pressure. Who are they to dictate to us?," he asked.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Dec 2014 19:12

Mannu Twitter Account https://twitter.com/manupubby

Ambassador Kadakin says India Russia relationship does not need any rebooting but Putin visit will recharge it.

Energy cooperation will be priority number 1 on @PMOIndia and @KremlinRussia_E agenda: Ambassador Kadakin

Diamonds is what we want to work on. India is the largest processor and we are the largest producers: Russian Ambassador

On fifth generation fighter Ambassador Kadakin says have not received any complaints. But still to do work share agreement.

No alarming signals in fifth generation fighter aircraft problem. We are quietly working. There is no delay: Russian Ambassador

Russian Ambassador compares Rafale fighter to a beautifully clad lady dragonfly. Says a dragonfly can be quashed by Russian fighters.

Russian Ambassador says MiG fighters will stop falling when India stops buying counterfeit parts from places like Israel.

Even Russia is not flying the MiGs that India still operates: Russian Ambassador

On Pak defence agreement Russian Ambassador says Moscow will not do anything against India's interest. New Delhi is a strategic partner.

Framework agreement with Pakistan does not envisage any immediate arms transfer. Helicopters are for civilian use: Russian Ambassador

Russian Ambassador says no contract yet with Pak for sale of Mi 35 attack choppers. But says India chose Apache so door open.

The fifth generation fighter aircraft is set to be ready by 2018, Russian Ambassador says, rejects reports that project is facing trouble .

Indian pilots are good but some young pilots behave like cowboys. Want to get more out of machine, can cause incidents: Russian Ambassador.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Dec 2014 19:26

JTull wrote:Russia may set up 20-24 nuclear energy units in India: Envoy

If these are of VVER-1200 types then to build 4 reactors of this type cost around $10.7 billion as per latest figures

http://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2014 ... satom-says

SanjayC · Post by **SanjayC** » 08 Dec 2014 21:39

Deal for BrahMos 'mini missile' likely during Vladimir Putin's visit

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/art ... aign=cppst

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Dec 2014 22:49

Russia condemns terrorist act in Jammu and Kashmir — Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, December 8. /TASS/. India and Pakistan should coordinate efforts to fight international terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

“Moscow condemns the terrorist act, which was committed in the town of Uri, the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, on December 5. Servicemen, policemen and civilians were killed as a result of the terrorist act,” the ministry said.

“It is evident that the crime is aimed at undermining the upcoming elections to the state’s legislative assembly and the efforts by India and local authorities to establish peace and calm,” it said.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 08 Dec 2014 23:25

Austin wrote:External Debt is Reduced too ( Suraj can you look at External Debt Stastics and Make some sense ? )

External Debt of the Russian Federation as of September 2014 (estimate)

http://www.cbr.ru/eng/statistics/print. ... d=itm_8394
$ 678.435 Billion

Their debt situation seems fairly stable over the past year, with an improving trend in most metrics. Despite the atmospherics, they don't seem to be suffering on either the budget or debt front, just high inflation and stagnant growth, which are arguably easier to resolve than a deep budgetary hole that might otherwise take years of discipline to fix.

James B · Post by **James B** » 09 Dec 2014 14:55

Sputnik @SputnikInt
Russia, Hungary sign contract to finish construction of Paks nuclear power facility - Rosatom

Don't understand Russia's new found love for TSP

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 09 Dec 2014 15:23

Russia to do its utmost to have India admitted to SCO at Ufa summit — Kremlin

Russia is doing everything that depends on us to formalize India’s SCO membership at the Ufa summit in July 2015, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that Russia will do its utmost for having India included in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the organization's summit in Ufa in July 2015.

Ushakov told the media the outlook for India’s integration with the SCO would be discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on December 11.

“Of course, India will be interested in our vision of Russia’s SCO presidency and the SCO summit in Ufa. It pins great hopes for admission to the SCO at the UFA summit,” Ushakov said. “The Indian side has already filed an official application. We are doing everything that depends on us to formalize India’s SCO membership at the Ufa summit in July 2015.”

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 09 Dec 2014 15:27

James B wrote:
Sputnik @SputnikInt
Russia, Hungary sign contract to finish construction of Paks nuclear power facility - Rosatom
Don't understand Russia's new found love for TSP

Paks referring to Hungary own reactor not the TSP one

MOSCOW, December 9 - RIA Novosti. Russia and Hungary signed a contract for the construction of two new blocks of the Hungarian NPP "Paks", told RIA Novosti Rosatom State Corporation.

"The contract for the construction of two new blocks," - a spokesman said.

Three executive agreements relating to the construction of two nuclear power units "Paks" reactors with Russian technology VVER-1200, signed on Tuesday, CEO of Hungarian MVM Paks II Sandor Nagy and senior vice president, director of the Moscow branch of JSC "NIAEP" Vladimir Savushkin. The document specifies the parameters of the design, supply chain and construction of two new units, the conditions associated with their maintenance and repair, as well as the provision of fresh fuel, handling and storage of irradiated fuel.

http://ria.ru/atomtec/20141209/1037314522.html

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 09 Dec 2014 15:32

A few helos is to get the rent-boys of Asia "hooked". It is not going to affect the balance of power between India and Pak unlike F-16s,Harpoon missiles,TOW missiles,Orions,etc.The US is in retreat and the Russians want to fill part of the vacuum influencing Pak,so that a return to Taliban days in Afghanistan never happens. If they can persuade Pak to behave in Afghanistan...in Pak's own interests,with a gentle warning attached,it will also lessen India's burden in supporting the Afghan govt. in case the Taliban make a strong resurgence along with their ISI handlers.

As the Russian ambassador said,Indo-Russian ties need no restructuring,only a boost to further heights .There is huge potential in Indo-Russian relations, Russia being the other superpower which has been India's closest friend since Independence. Apart from N-plants,Russian energy supplies at low prices can ensure stability of our energy bills for quite a few years if we act wisely now and shore up agreements for the same,which will enable us to establish a series of strategic reserves across the country.

Welcome Pres.Putin! I'm sure that PM Modi will be delighted with your visit and that it will be an unqualified success for both our countries.

panduranghari · Post by **panduranghari** » 09 Dec 2014 19:59

Suraj wrote: Their debt situation seems fairly stable over the past year, with an improving trend in most metrics. Despite the atmospherics, they don't seem to be suffering on either the budget or debt front, just high inflation and stagnant growth, which are arguably easier to resolve than a deep budgetary hole that might otherwise take years of discipline to fix.

The development that may even circumvent the deep budgetary hole, high inflation and stagnant growth is already in motion - viz. Floating Rouble. link1, link2, link3, link4.

They are following what exactly the central banks of China, Canada, Myanmar, Brazil and Hong Kong are doing.

I believe this is a signal that they have decided to unshackle themselves from the effects of rising USD. Dont understand what is stopping RBI from doing the same. Simultaneously set up currency swap with CB OF any other country?

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 09 Dec 2014 22:16

The West is trying to split the BRICS while also trying to weaken individual members
http://in.rbth.com/blogs/2014/11/28/how ... 40017.html

Campaign to bag Brazil

Along with India, the West considers Brazil as one of the weak pillars of the BRICS group. While India is being targeted using the combined influence of the English speaking countries, the West has no such leverage in Brazil. In vast swaths of South America the Americans are particularly loathed. The US, therefore, is trying a new tack there.

Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff is the new Hugo Chavez. Like the coups organised against the late Chilean prime minister, the newly re-elected President of Brazil was the target of a vicious disinformation campaign conducted by the US State Department.

The good cop, bad cop routine is used by law enforcement agencies all over the world to break suspects and criminals. Used cleverly, it sometimes works in moving the prosecution forward. It’s extremely unlikely to work in Russia and China, where the populations are highly educated, informed and know the history and perfidy of the West.

But India and Brazil are different. While they currently have nationalist leaders committed to the BRICS, there are weaknesses the West could exploit. In India there is a large mass of Macaulayites – Indian in looks but western in outlook – who do not see the dangers posed by westerners. Many Indians – including its diplomats – are easily won over by sweet talking Tony Abbotts.

Brazil’s problem is unique – there’s been a rapid increase in the number of Born Again Protestant churches based in America. The percentage of Brazilian Protestants has risen from virtually nothing three decades ago to an astounding 25 per cent today. Most of the flock attending these American funded churches blindly follow the dictates of their fundamentalist priests, who in turn take their orders from their HQ in America. This time Rousseff won against every obstacle placed in her way by the Americans. However, which way Brazil will swing in a decade’s time is anyone’s guess.

The road to great power status is littered with such minefields.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 09 Dec 2014 22:42

panduranghari wrote:The development that may even circumvent the deep budgetary hole, high inflation and stagnant growth is already in motion - viz. Floating Rouble. link1, link2, link3, link4.

They are following what exactly the central banks of China, Canada, Myanmar, Brazil and Hong Kong are doing.

I believe this is a signal that they have decided to unshackle themselves from the effects of rising USD. Dont understand what is stopping RBI from doing the same. Simultaneously set up currency swap with CB OF any other country?

What we do ought to be dictated by our imperatives. All those large economies are trade surplus nations, in several cases with substantial dollar-denominated currency exports. Unless our imperatives are the same, I don't see the point of doing the same thing just because others are doing it. Anyway, not the thread to discuss this.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 10 Dec 2014 00:20

Suraj wrote: What we do ought to be dictated by our imperatives. All those large economies are trade surplus nations, in several cases with substantial dollar-denominated currency exports. Unless our imperatives are the same, I don't see the point of doing the same thing just because others are doing it. Anyway, not the thread to discuss this.

This is correct. India did not start a large trade economy since India is waiting for a post dollar(sterling) world economy.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 10 Dec 2014 03:42

Austin wrote:Russia to do its utmost to have India admitted to SCO at Ufa summit — Kremlin

Russia is doing everything that depends on us to formalize India’s SCO membership at the Ufa summit in July 2015, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that Russia will do its utmost for having India included in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the organization's summit in Ufa in July 2015.

Ushakov told the media the outlook for India’s integration with the SCO would be discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on December 11.

“Of course, India will be interested in our vision of Russia’s SCO presidency and the SCO summit in Ufa. It pins great hopes for admission to the SCO at the UFA summit,” Ushakov said. “The Indian side has already filed an official application. We are doing everything that depends on us to formalize India’s SCO membership at the Ufa summit in July 2015.”

I don't want to be part of a club that would have me as a member.

http://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/04/18 ... o-resigns/

What exactly does a SCO membership get us? Russia is going to do its damnedest to get us in against the wishes of whom?

China/Pakistan

What power does SCO have?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 10 Dec 2014 07:49

^^ Too many benifits hence India applied for SCO on her own accord

India applies for full membership of SCO

SCO membership to help India get foothold in energy-rich Central Asia

India: Drawn To The Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 10 Dec 2014 07:56

Interview to the Indian Information Agency PTI

In the run up to his official visit to India Vladimir Putin gave an interview to the Indian Information Agency PTI.

QUESTION: Your upcoming visit to India is the first one since the government headed by Mr. Narendra Modi came to power; however, you have already met with him several times on the sidelines of international events. What results do you expect from the summit, primarily as far as Russian-Indian political, trade and economic relations are concerned?

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: As the President of the Russian Federation, I have been to India five times. I particularly remember my visit in October 2000, when we signed the historic Declaration on Strategic Partnership with the Indian partners.

With regard to my contacts with Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, that is true, we became acquainted on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil this July. We also had meaningful conversations in Brisbane (Australia) in November at the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the BRICS countries and during the G20 summit.

I note with satisfaction the commitment of the Indian leadership to searching for new promising areas of cooperation. I am convinced that the common aspiration to further develop our bilateral relations will help to achieve significant results at the upcoming Indian-Russian Summit.

We look forward to discussing specific steps aimed at strengthening the privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India. We will devote particular attention to expanding trade and economic links and boosting mutual investments. Serious preparatory work has been done during the past sessions of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation and the Indo-Russian Forum on Trade and Investment (New Delhi, November 5, 2014). Joint strategic projects include the construction of new units for Indian nuclear power plants, promotion of Russian Sukhoi Superjet-100 and MS-21 aircraft to the Indian market, introduction of the GLONASS system in the sectors of the Indian economy. Our priorities include building a butyl rubber plant, helicopter manufacturing, creating "a smart city" on the basis of Russian technologies, organizing assembly of industrial tractors.

We attach particular importance to the development of military and technical cooperation that is one of the main components of our strategic partnership. We will discuss in detail the current projects in this most important sphere related not only to the export of ready-made equipment but to close technological and industrial cooperation as well.

Furthermore, we will exchange views on current international and regional issues and on deepening foreign policy coordination in order to further strengthen security and stability in Eurasia and in the whole world.

Of course, we will discuss in substance how to give a new impetus to the bilateral ties in the humanitarian sphere, increase contacts between the citizens of our countries.

QUESTION: India has traditionally regarded Russia, and the USSR in the past, as a reliable "friend for all times." However, lately in India concerns have been raised about a sort of intensification of military and technical cooperation between Russia and Pakistan. In this light, do you think it would be appropriate to say that military and technical cooperation between Russia and India can be transformed?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Our countries have been maintaining military and technical cooperation for many decades. Moreover, I would like to emphasize that India is a reliable and time-tested partner.

If some transformations take place, it would be a completely different kind of transformations. As I have already noted, the high level of bilateral cooperation and trust allows us to start a gradual transition from the traditional producer‑consumer model to joint development and production of advanced weapons systems. We already have examples of such effective cooperation, by which I mean the production of high-precision up-to-date BrahMos missiles and creation of a multifunctional fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

As for Pakistan, we have held talks on Russia's possible assistance aimed at improving effectiveness of counter-terrorism and antidrug operations. In my view, this kind of cooperation serves the long-term interests of all countries of the region, including India.

QUESTION: Russia and India are successfully cooperating in the field of energy. India is planning to expand this cooperation, including through participation in the development of oil and gas deposits in the Eastern Siberia. What is Russia’s position on this matter? What would it be realistic for India to expect? In your opinion, what are the prospects of supplying Russian natural gas to India through a pipeline?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Historically, Russia has exported most of its hydrocarbons to the West. However, European consumption is increasing too slowly, while political, regulatory and transit risks are on the rise. At the same time, the economies of Asian countries are growing rapidly. Thus, we are naturally interested in diversifying the destinations of our energy deliveries.

We expect to secure ourselves a role of a reliable energy supplier to the Asian markets. At the same time, we intend to boost economic growth in Russia’s Eastern Siberia and Far East regions and build new infrastructure there.

In view of the fact that Russia currently implements large-scale energy projects, we are interested in attracting new investments and technologies, including from India. As a good example of our mutually beneficial cooperation with Indian partners I could cite, in particular, the Sakhalin 1 project. A government oil and natural gas corporation ONGC is participating in it through its subsidiary, the ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), which is a major Indian investor in Russia. Under the Sakhalin -1 project, over one million tons of oil is supplied to India annually.

The issue of participation by the OVL in hydrocarbons exploration in the Arctic is being actively discussed. This May, at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Rosneft and OVL relating to cooperation on Russia's Arctic shelf within an international consortium. Gazpromneft is also interested in networking with Indian oil and gas companies with a view to implementing Arctic projects.

As far as Russia's natural gas supplies to India are concerned, that issue needs thorough consideration. A preliminary analysis has shown that the cost of pipeline transportation may significantly exceed that of liquefied natural gas supplies. So this is largely the question of commercial feasibility.

For the time being, Russian liquefied natural gas transportation seems the best choice. Let me remind you that last year the Gazprom Marketing and Trading Company already delivered to India two LNG shipments totaling 0.11 million tons in all. A long-term agreement on LNG supplies signed between the Gazprom Group and India's GAIL in 2012 entered into force in June 2014: it provides for the delivery of 2.5 million tons a year for the period of 20 years. India will start receiving LNG shipments as early as in 2017, or, in case the deadlines are shifted, by all means no later than in 2021.

We hope that our increased cooperation in the energy sector will contribute to India's sustainable and progressive social and economic development and help improve the quality of life of Indian people.

QUESTION: Russia is a long-standing partner of India in the domain of peaceful nuclear energy. What specific agreements are you planning to implement in the short term? What problems arise in this regard?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Nuclear energy cooperation is one of the pillars of our strategic partnership. We concluded two inter-governmental agreements in this field in 2008 and in 2010. The Road Map for the Serial Construction of the Russian designed Nuclear Power Plants in the Republic of India, which was signed in 2010, is currently being implemented.

The work on two energy units of the NPP "Kudankulam" is proceeding as scheduled. In October 2013, the first energy unit of that NPP was connected to the Indian power grid, and this June that unit reached its full capacity. The second energy unit is being prepared for commissioning.

Documentation to start construction of the second stage of that NPP has been nearly finalized. A general framework agreement for building the third and fourth energy units was signed in Mumbai this April.

I must stress that today NPP "Kudankulam" is the world's only nuclear power plant which meets all the "post-Fukushima" safety requirements.

Apart from building new energy units of the NPP "Kudankulam", we await the decision of the Indian government to allot a site for construction of a new Russian-designed nuclear power plant.

Our resources enable us to build up to 25 energy units in India. According to experts, however, even these units may not meet the needs of dynamically developing economy of India. This is why we intend to discuss the prospects for further development of our cooperation in the domain of nuclear energy during the upcoming meeting with Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. The policy document "Strategic Vision of the Strengthening Russian-Indian Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Uses of the Atomic Energy" is also being prepared to be signed. Alongside with new energy units' construction, it provides for the exchange of the results of activities in the field of science, technology and innovation.

QUESTION: Russia and India are planning to increase their trade turnover. What can be said about the prospects of establishing a free-trade regime between our countries?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Russia and India have a huge potential of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Alongside with that we have recently noted some decrease in bilateral trade due to unfavorable macroeconomic situation in the world. Last year's trade turnover amounted to 10 billion dollars, which is one billion less than during the previous year. It is important to reverse this trend.

A particular emphasis should be made on the development of high-technology areas of cooperation, namely nuclear energy, military and technical cooperation, space research, aircraft and automobile production, pharmaceuticals industry, chemical industry, information technologies and nanotechnologies.

We place great hopes in the Joint Working Groups on Strategic Cooperation and on Priority Investment Projects, being the new mechanisms established during the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission in November.

India expressed an interest in concluding a free-trade agreement with the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The experts of the joint group, which is being formed under the Eurasian Economic Commission, will decide what steps should be taken and identify categories of goods for which the markets may be opened and those for which it would be still too early.

Obviously, not everything depends on a trade regime. There are some areas to be improved, I mean logistics and securing favorable financial conditions for implementing deals. The issue of a possible transition to payments in national currencies is also quite relevant.

QUESTION: Has the change of government in India this May influenced the progress of the Russian-Indian special and privileged strategic partnership?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Relations between Russia and India have never been susceptible to momentary developments. At all historic times, regardless of political and public leaders, our countries remained reliable partners in deepening our multifaceted bilateral cooperation.

For example, we signed the above-mentioned Declaration on Strategic Partnership 14 years ago with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who led the government headed by Bharatiya Janata Party. A great role in elevating our relations to the level of special and privileged strategic partnership was played by the previous government formed by the Indian National Congress.

I am convinced that we will continue this fruitful work together with the new government in order to expand our multifaceted and mutually beneficial contacts, especially given the fact that as far back as he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat state Mr. Narendra Modi visited several times the Astrakhan Region, which has since established fraternal relations with that Indian state. Thus, today, we are happy to see friendly India to be led by a reputable political leader, who has already made a significant personal contribution to the promotion of the Russian-Indian cooperation

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 10 Dec 2014 15:12

Putin and Modi have much in common, say aides ahead of summit
Officials hope Russian president and prime minister of India, set to meet in Delhi, will develop close personal bond

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/d ... ssia-india

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi at the Brics summit in July. Photograph: Klimentyev Mikhail/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis
Jason Burke in Delhi and Shaun Walker in Moscow
The Guardian, Tuesday 9 December 2014

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, who will arrive in Delhi on Wednesday night, has much in common with Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, according to aides and diplomats from the leaders’ two countries.

The two men, both in their early sixties, have met twice – at the July Brics summit in Brazil and at the G20 in Australia last month, where Putin received a chilly reception from western nations angered by Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine.

His welcome in a smoggy but unseasonably temperate Delhi for his first summit with Modi will be much warmer. Russia and India have long had a close relationship, even if the two Asian powers have grown distant in recent decades.

Officials hope the leaders of each power, one a former spy, the other a former organiser for a hardline rightwing organisation, will be able to develop a close personal bond that will bring the two states back together.

“They’ve had two short meetings but they went very well. They understand each other,” said one Delhi-based Indian diplomat present on both occasions.

Delhi tilted towards Moscow during the cold war as hostile neighbour Pakistan grew close to the US. The era has left deep traces.

In the Hindustan Times, a local newspaper, analyst Sushil Aaron described both states as “instinctively uncomfortable with the west’s dominance of global institutions and its alleged propensity to use narratives of a rules-based international system to suit its interests”.

If the Communist party of India is a shadow of its former self, the influence of decades of leftwing activism and centrally planned socialist economic policies remains deep.

One result is that although successive US administrations have sought to improve relations with India – President Obama has accepted an invitation to be chief guest at the nation’s Republic Day parade in January – Moscow can still rely on goodwill in Delhi that Washington can only envy.

“Ask any child in India who is India’s best friend internationally and they will tell you that it is Russia,” said one Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official, echoing a comment made by Modi this year.

India has strongly opposed EU and US sanctions on Russia over events in Ukraine while Russia has historically backed India’s position on the disputed Himalayan former kingdom of Kashmir.

But it’s on the personal level that many believe the coming summit, an annual occasion, will work best.

“Modi and Putin get on very well together. Both ... are self-assured and charismatic leaders with a strong nationalist bent, who have a clear vision for their country and keep its best interests at heart,” said Ajai Malhotra, who was Indian ambassador to Russia until last year.

Less diplomatic commentators point out that support for both men is rooted in a populist promise to restore the former power and wealth of their respective nations. Both have explicitly said they hope to force their immediate neighbours to respect their local dominance, while domestically both are suspicious of “liberals” and distrust the mainstream media. Modi’s attitude to the west is ambivalent, with reservations on the cultural front but enthusiasm for technology and governance; Putin’s is increasingly hostile all round.

The geopolitical context also throws India and Russia together. Senior Russian officials have said they expect sanctions against the country to be in place for years or decades to come, and have reiterated that Moscow will look elsewhere for new allies.

“Our goal is to find as many equal partners as possible,” Putin said during his annual state of the nation address last week. He said focus would be put on countries that did not mix economics and politics, with China and India the two most obvious targets.

Tatiana Shaumian of the India Studies Centre in Moscow noted defence cooperation, the diamond industry and energy as particular areas of focus for the summit. India, despite recent flagging growth, has a huge need for oil, gas and coal. Russia has done cut-price deals with China and Turkey on crucial energy resources in recent months. Moscow is also involved with India’s civilian nuclear power programme, building reactors in the south.

Some analysts are less convinced about the extent of the warmth between the two leaders.

C Raja Mohan, a leading Delhi-based foreign policy analyst, said that, though there was a “lot of sentiment”, there were some “big structural issues”. “Both men are nationalists and realists, strong leaders who want to do as much as they can. They need to salvage what they can from this relationship,” he said.

Sameer Patil, associate national security fellow at Gateway House thinktank in Mumbai, said trade between the two nations was particularly disappointing – about $10bn annually – and the defence relationship had been troubled by unreliability, defective spare parts and disagreements over the pricing of equipment.

Neither have signs that Russia is working to build a closer relationship with Pakistan pleased observers in Delhi, though analysts say there is a recognition that to expect Moscow to ignore Islamabad would be unrealistic.

At least on the cultural front, there are signs that the two countries have things in common. While huge quantities of ideological literature were once printed in the USSR and distributed almost free in India, different cultural exchanges have taken their place, the MEA official said.

“Now the [Russians] are into Bollywood and yoga, and we welcome them here in Goa.”

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 10 Dec 2014 16:43

Good Info with Statistics on Economy during Putin Era

Putin 2000 – 2014, Midterm Interim Results: Diversfication, Modernization and the Role of the State in Russia’s economy

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 11 Dec 2014 10:59

Putin and Modi will speak at the opening ceremony of the World Diamond Conference.
DEc 11 12
http://wdci.lmtd.me/

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Dec 2014 12:17

Russia, India Agree on Construction of New Nuclear Energy Blocks: Rosatom

Russia and India signed an agreement on the construction of 12 new nuclear energy blocks over the next two decades.

NEW DELHI, December 11 (Sputnik) – Russia and India have agreed on the construction of at least 12 new nuclear energy blocks within the next 20 years to include two new blocks for the existing Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in India’s southern tip in 2016, Russia’s Rosatom head Sergei Kiriyenko said Thursday.

"This morning a general framework agreement was signed on the construction and equipment delivery for the third and fourth blocks of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant at the present site. Cement foundations [for the new blocks] will be poured in the beginning of 2016," Kiriyenko said.

India and Russia also agreed on a long-term project to build at least 12 more energy blocks over the next two decades.

“Today we will sign a strategic document that foresees the construction of no less than 12 energy blocks over the next 20 years, or in other words this would be no less than two nuclear energy facilities,” Kiriyenko added.

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 11 Dec 2014 12:23

I had a reasonable dinner. For once, the palate felt justice had been done. Then I listened to NPR news where an Indian NPR reporter emphasized that no one is particularly bothered by Putin visiting. And that the Obama visit is really what all of India is excited about.

Then I saw the NYT, and rNDTV and ToIlet publishing verbatim the NYT line. And so on. Frankly I am *this* close to stopping reading all news altogether.

Now I will need to brush again to rinse the bad taste.

Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 11 Dec 2014 12:46

Western press gets the spin from their establishment. Since Indian editors/reporters mostly lack (critical) thinking about these matters they copy paste these articles and publish them either verbatim by adding that the article is by foreign media or some dumb editor adds a totally unrelated line about setback to Modi/Modi whose visa was denied because of Guj riots to the same article and puts his name as "edited by ...".

vijaykarthik · Post by **vijaykarthik** » 11 Dec 2014 14:06

A classic! Looks like a Crimean leader was with Putin in his flight and was taken to an upscale hotel etc etc... and some partnership deal done with the Crimeans?

PUTIN!

arun · Post by **arun** » 11 Dec 2014 14:15

Russia yet again demonstrates her inability to deliver projects on time and on cost and ability to indulge in price gouging a ’la INS Vikramaditya, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant etc.

Russian State owned power equipment supplier delay commissioning of NTPC’s Barh-I power generation project in Bihar by 3 years and having extracted an additional USD 190 Million for “increased input costs” is looking to hose NTPC for USD 248 Million.

The adjacent Barh –II power project which commenced after Barh-I and had the good fortune of not buying Russian equipment but rather domestic Indian equipment from BHEL, is already in operation:

Narendra Modi to take up NTPC’s Barh project with Vladimir Putin

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 11 Dec 2014 15:18

moar horse manure that will be lapped up as neuj.

That's it! I am done reading news.

Mukesh.Kumar · Post by **Mukesh.Kumar** » 11 Dec 2014 15:25

New book on Putin year's from a Western author. Here's the book review:
[youtube]77W2h6CFn_Y&list=UUwnKziETDbHJtx78nIkfYug[/youtube]