Russia hands over INS Vikramaditya to India; Russia and India to hold joint naval exercise in Sea of Japan in 2014; Russia proposes that parts of Kamov helicopters be produced in India; President Putin pays an official visit to Vietnam; Construction of Vo
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • (NOVEMBER 11-17)

    In a significant development, according to reports, Russia has handed over the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to India on November 16 in a ceremony attended by India’s Defence Minister Shri A K Antony at the Arctic port of Severodvinsk. The ship is expected to reach India around January-February of 2014. 1

    In another development, according to reports, Russia and India have agreed to conduct a joint naval exercise in the Sea of Japan’s Peter the Great Gulf in 2014. This was declared by Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu during his opening remarks of the 13th meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental military and technical commission. 2

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has said that Russia has put forward the proposal of Kamov helicopters being produced in India. 3

    According to reports, Russian President Putin has paid an official visit to Vietnam during November 12-17, 2013 wherein he held talks with the Vietnamese President, Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Communist Party. Some key issues discussed include Vietnam joining the Eurasian Customs Union, economic projects in the field of infrastructure, oil and gas and nuclear cooperation and building cultural and people to people contacts. 4

    Russia’s Vice-Premier Dmitry Rogozin has said that the construction of Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East will be completed by end of 2014. This should help “move the rocket and space industry to the East”. 5

    US intelligence agencies have opposed the proposal to deploy GLONASS monitoring stations in the US territory on the grounds that these structures can help Russia spy on it and improve the precision of Russian weaponry. 6

    According to reports, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has declared that Syria’s National Coalition does not have any constructive programme for the Syrian people except for its call for a change of government. 7

    A news release of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has said that a sub-commission of the UN Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf will recommend the inclusion of an area in the Sea of Okhotsk to be a part of Russia’s continental shelf. The area of the continental shelf, claimed by Russia, does not formally belong to any country. The claim is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea that allows countries to expand the 200-mile state economic zone, if the area in question is a natural extension of the continental edge. 8

    According to reports, President Putin, in a telephonic conversation held on November 16, has discussed with Egypt’s Interim President Adli Mansur bilateral cooperation and the prevailing situation in the Middle East. The conversation was initiated by Russia. 9

    Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov has said that Russia will help the Council of Europe in building a united Europe without ‘dividing lines’. He made these comments during the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held in Strasbourg on November 15. 10

    US Senator Senator John Kornin has said that United States Department of Defence has given up its plans to buy 15 Russian made Mi-17 helicopters for the Afghan army in 2014. This decision was made in the backdrop of fierce criticism about the deal in US Congress. 11

    According to reports, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has apologised to Russia for riots that took place on November 11 (Poland’s Independence Day) at the building of Russian embassy in Warsaw during which hooligans threw flares, firecrackers and bottles. 12

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton have discussed the upcoming talks between Iran and five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia Europe Meeting of foreign ministers in New Delhi. 13

    In other developments, according to reports, the head of Russia’s federal drug control service Viktor Ivanov has said that almost five tonnes of opiates was seized in a joint Russian-U.S. special operation in the north of Afghanistan during operations which took place on October 29 in Badakhshan province. 14

    Russia and Serbia have signed an agreement (during the visit of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Belgrade on November 13) on military cooperation as part of further development of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Some key areas earmarked include collaboration in UN peacekeeping operations, organisation of joint military exercises and exchange visits of military personnel and hardware, including combat aircraft and aerobatics teams. 15

    Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev has said that Russia’s economic growth in 2013 is expected to be in the range of 1.5- 1.6 per cent while inflation will hover around 6 per cent. 16

    Top