Much drivel was written about the alleged demise of the Indo-Russian relationship in the run-up to the BRICS Summit in Goa, with an imbecilic piece by a broadsheet, recommending that India reorient its foreign policy and make relations with The United States and China cornerstones of its foreign policy.. The way to proceed with China, it said, was to place India’s tactical nuclear weapons on the Chinese border - which is a sure way to start a nuclear war! Lodged in these absurdities was the assertion that Russia is now a satellite of China, a unique reading of Russian history, one has to admit.
It was with considerable relief, therefore, to read a truly enlightening article by P.S.Raghavan, India’s former ambassador in Moscow, who retired a few months ago. A fluent Russian speaker long regarded as India’s foremost expert on the country, his piece appeared in the op-ed page of the Hindu (October 19) and its data, analysis and conclusions are best shared with readers of Asian Voice.
Let us commence with one of his last Newsletters from Moscow at the end of June. In it he writes: ‘India-Russia relations have continued to intensify in multiple areas, particularly since 2000 (when President Putin came to power). We now classify our relations as a “special and privileged strategic partnership.”A practice of holding annual Summits with leaders of the two countries was established in 2000. The dialogue architecture also includes annual meetings of an Inter-Governmental Commission for Trade & Economic Cooperation, set up by our External Affairs Minister and Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin, and an Inter Governmental Commission for Defence Cooperation, headed by our Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, and the same Russian Deputy Prime Minister. A number of sub-committees in various defence and civilian sectors meet periodically and feed their decisions into Inter-Governmental Commissions. In addition, there are regular meetings of National Security Advisers, Central Bank heads, and Trade and Industry bodies, among others. These multiple bilateral forums provide opportunities to various stakeholders to periodically sensitize the two governments on initiatives requiring attention or resolution.’
This provides the background to Mr Raghavan’s Hindu article, where he opens thus: ‘The Indo-Russian Summit in Goa on October 15 was high on both symbolism and substance. The joint dedication by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin of Unit 2 of the Kudankulam power plant and the pouring of concrete for Units 3 and 4 projected a unique partnership in nuclear energy eight years after India’s foreign collaborations in civil nuclear energy were legitimized. Russia remains the only foreign country involved in nuclear power production in India. Mr Modi invoked a Russian proverb to reaffirm India-Russian friendship in a changing world: “An old friend is better than two new ones.” The informality of a one-to-one conversation of the leaders over lunch also showcased the intimacy of relations.’
Defence Cooperation
Mr Raghavan continued: ‘The three projects (worth $10.5 billion) are notable not only for their functional importance but also for the speed of their progress from announcement to agreement.’ This and a further $2 billion for a leased Russian attack submarine to the Indian Navy (see page 12) constitute a package involving the joint manufacture of Kamov Ka226T helicopters, the construction of the S-400 air defence system - considered the best in the world – in India, and the construction of four naval frigates by Russia for the Indian Navy. ‘These agreements, consolidate Russia’s position as India’s principal defence partner. Over the past 10 years , Russia provided 70 per cent of India’s defence imports; the US was next with 14 per cent…The effort to strengthen non-defence pillars of the India-Russia partnership shows progress. Agreements for Unit 5 and 6 in Kudankulam are under finalization and six more in the pipeline,’ writes Mr Raghavan.’ He also underscored the $5.5 billion Indian investments in Russia’s energy sector, and Russian company’s Rosneft’s $12.9 billion investment in India’s private sector Essar Oil (see page 12).
New Institutions
The decision to establish a ministerial-level Military Industrial Conference to identify new projects and resolve pending issues, and a Science and Technology Commission to facilitate development and sharing cutting-edge technology could have a far-reaching impact on defence ties, taking them to an even higher level.
Glitches sorted
In close-door sessions, India reportedly aired concerns on aspects of Russia-China ties, and Russia-Pakistan demarches. According to official Indian sources, Russia assured India that it would do nothing to injure India’s national interests. India expressed satisfaction at Russian explanations and assurances. However, lines of communication would be kept open to remove possible misunderstandings.
Sanctions against Russia
Much like the premature announcement of the American writer Mark Twain’s death, Western government and media pronouncements on the demise of the Russian economy, were greatly exaggerated, opined Mr Raghavan, who quoted International Monetary Fund statistics to sustain his point. A healthy current account surplus, low unemployment levels at 6 per cent, undervalued corporate stocks and external sovereign debt of only 13 per cent and an IMF upgrade of the Russian economy, not to speak of the multiple ways large European companies have avoided the sanctions regime were present ground realities. Prime Minister Modi and his team of advisers have designed India’s Russia policy on firm ground.
Digital India theme at Trade Fair
The forthcoming 36th India International Trade Fair in New Delhi will have Digital India as its theme. Last year’s theme was ‘Make in India.’ Digital India will receive full and detailed exposure in Hall No 1 at the Pragati Maidan. ‘There will be industry interaction via seminars, panel discussions and tech-talks during the event. Success stories of grass root-level contributions/achievers of the Digital India Movement , especially by women and backward sections of society will also be highlighted by during the event,’ said an official source.
There are to be games/demonstrations of services – the highlight of progress thus far, coupled with an awareness programme, such as Digi Swachha Abhiyaan – e-Waste collection and quizzes and contests on social media, explained another official.
With around 150,000 people expected per day during this 14-day event, the government wants to showcase the meaning and impact of the digital revolution on women, students, Dalits, farmers, employment and multiple areas woven into a seamless narrative.
Digital India is one of the most ambitious schemes of the Modi government and has achieved myriad successes in each project it has taken up. For example, there have been 103 crore Indian enrolled with an Aadhar number, more than 350,000 are using MyGov to assist government and more than 200,000 citizens have stored and shared two or more documents through ‘Digital Locker’.
‘When I see IT products for common people like e-scholarship, e-hospital and Jeevan Pranam, I get personal satisfaction at Digital India’s automatic role,’ said Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of IT and Law, who said how much he appreciated the numbers of people involved in these projects.
Pioneer Indian woman botanist
Sixty years after she helped establish the Botanical Survey of India, botanists and scientists from different disciplines are celebrating the life and work of the pioneer Indian botanist, E.K.Janaki Amnal, who died in 1984. Outside botanical circler, her name has not resonated in the public space. But public exhibitions about her are now putting this right. A Keralite, Janaki Amnal is credited with the study of chromosomes of thousands of species of flowering plants titled ‘The Chromosome Atlas of Cultivated Plants, which she co-authored with British biologist C.D. Darlington.
‘At a time when the country is focusing on educating the girl child, we must not forget scientists like Janaki Amnal who chose a life of scholarship over marriage. She was one of the first women scientists to receive the Padma Shri way back in 1977,’ said Botanical Society of India Director General Paramjit Singh. He said when the BSI developed a new gallery, it was decided to host a year-long exhibition on the life of this remarkable woman. The exhibition in Kolkata has been housed in the same building in which Janaki Amnal once worked.
Six large blow-ups on her life and her contributions to botanical science, along with several letters highlighting the impediments she had to face as a woman scientist during her professional life in a male-dominated subject are exhibits.
