India and Russia

November 21, 2009 01:52 am | Updated December 04, 2021 10:47 pm IST

The article “Another tryst: Imagining India & Russia” (Nov. 20) bears testimony to the platonic friendship between India and Russia. Since time immemorial Russia has been supporting India unconditionally on all important matters. Be it lobbying for a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group countries for a civilian nuclear deal or consistently voicing its support in the U.N. Security Council to give the permanent membership status to India with veto powers. They always stand by us through thick and thin and help us to upgrade our defence and nuclear programmes. No doubt, Russia will be India’s all-weather friend for centuries to come.

A closer interaction in the field of culture and tourism will further strengthen the bond between the two great countries.

Vijay D.,

Bangalore

***

Congratulations on publishing that excellent lead article by Alexander Kadakin. Every word he wrote came from his heart with the sincerity of purpose in the common interests of India and Russia. However, to move forward together, there are some stumbling blocks, deliberately created and sustained through the tactics of corporate colonialism that is systematically imposed upon India and its neighbours by the crisis-ridden western capitalist economies. Of course, with the strategic manipulation and consent of the bureaucratic babus and slavish politicians in the region.

A justice-centred development, a humanism-centred disarmament process, and a peace-centred global approach should be the guiding spirit of the emerging India-Russia cooperation and commitment for the future. Together we can play a significant role in shaping the 21st century by meeting the needs of the many against the greeds of the few.

E.P.Menon,

Bangalore

***

Mr. Kadakin’s account is emotional. It substantiates the fact that in this globalised world of “trade and aid,” India and Russia exemplify themselves as not only strategic partners but also old friends. The respect and appreciation the two nations hold for each other’s culture is a potent factor in this international bond of solidarity. A progressive evolution for this relationship demands not only a dialogue between political actors but also a direct people-to-people interaction.

Saurabh Singh,

New Delhi

***

India has greatly benefited not only in science and technology but also in how it was perceived in international circles due to its closeness to the erstwhile USSR. Many a time, we have avoided being cornered on our stand on nuclear and Kashmir issues at the U.N. as we were sure of the USSR’s support in the Security Council. It is also well known that India’s space mission has benefited enormously due to cooperation with the Soviets, and Chandrayaan’s success is partly due to this cooperation. It is high time India’s foreign policy gives as much importance to Russia, if not more, than it gives to the U.S. at present.

Srinivas Chandrashekaran,

Bangalore

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