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Tag: Russia

  • As G7 president, Japan wishes to coordinate closely with G20 chair India: Japanese Foreign Minister

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has put a great strain on the global economy including energy and food security, and Japan is keen to respond to the challenges by working hand-in-hand with India, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday.

    In an exclusive interview to PTI, Hayashi cited China’s “unilateral attempts” to change the status quo by force in East and South China as well as its military activities around Taiwan as the region’s challenges and concerns.

    He said Japan’s revised National Security Strategy views China’s current external stance and military activities as “unprecedented” and the “greatest” strategic challenge in ensuring peace and stability of Japan and the international community.

    Hayashi also said that it is necessary to build a free and an open international order that is inclusive and based on the rule of law to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, a region that has seen mounting Chinese assertiveness.

    He said as the G7 president, Japan wishes to coordinate closely with the G20 president India in addressing pressing global challenges.

    “2023 is a crucial year as Japan chairs G7 and India chairs G20. As the premier forum for international economic cooperation, G20 is of paramount importance for responding effectively to issues facing the international community, such as food security and development,” he said.

    The Japanese foreign minister was in Delhi to attend a Quad foreign ministerial meeting that extensively deliberated on the situation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s military muscle flexing.

    He said the Quad or Quadrilateral coalition is neither an initiative to counter something nor for military cooperation and referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words that it is a “force for good”.

    The Japanese minister said given India’s “outstanding” leadership, including its hosting of the Voice of Global South Summit in January, having coordination with New Delhi has become more vital now.

    “Because of the adverse effect by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, establishing access to affordable, safe and nutritious food as well as ensuring resilient food security has become an urgent priority,” he said.

    “Moreover, transparent and fair developmental finance has become essential for sustainable development of developing countries. There is ample room for cooperation between G7 and G20, especially in these areas,” he added.

    Japan is the current chair of the powerful G7 grouping. “Nevertheless, given that Russia continues its aggression in Ukraine and is a member of the G20, we can no longer sustain cooperation in the same ways as before the invasion. We will explore how we can collaborate with such limitations in consultation with India,” he said.

    “Given India’s outstanding leadership, including its hosting Voice of Global South Summit in January, coordination with India is now even more vital. Japan looks forward to working hand in hand with India to lead responses to global challenges,” he said.

    The Japanese Foreign Minister noted that the Russian invasion of Ukraine put a great strain on the international economy and livelihoods of people all around the world in various aspects, including energy and food.

    “Given these circumstances, Japan is keen to discuss with India ways to respond to key issues such as food and energy security, with the cooperation of the international community,” he said.

    “In addition, leveraging existing economic ties, Japan will work with India bilaterally to respond to such challenges and consider ways of effective cooperation with middle to long-term perspectives,” he said.

    For instance, he said Japan wishes to utilise the Japan-India Clean Energy Partnership, launched during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to India in March 2022 in order to realise carbon neutral and safe and stable supply of energy. “New energy sources such as hydrogen and ammonia are also promising areas of cooperation,” Hayashi said.

    On China’s increasing muscle flexing in the region, the foreign minister said Japan is finding itself in the midst of the “most severe” and complex security environment since the end of World War II.

    He said maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law has never been more important than now.

    “Against this backdrop, Japan issued a new National Security Strategy. Vis-a-vis China, there are a number of challenges and concerns along with various opportunities, such as China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas, including in the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands,” he said.

    “This also includes a series of military activities by China around Taiwan, in particular the launch of ballistic missiles into the seas adjacent to Japan which also includes its Exclusive Economic Zones,” he said.

    Hayashi said the National Security Strategy revised late last year views China’s current external stance and military activities as an “unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge” in ensuring the peace and stability of Japan and the international community, as well as strengthening the international order based on the rule of law.

    “It states that Japan should respond with comprehensive national power and in cooperation with its ally and like-minded countries,” he said.

    At the same time, he said Japan and China have great responsibility towards the peace and prosperity of the region and the world.

    He said Japan will firmly maintain and assert our position and strongly requests responsible actions from China. “At the same time, both sides will make an effort to build a constructive and stable relationship by continuing dialogues, including at the leaders’ level, and working together on common challenges,” he said.

    On the Indo-Pacific, Hayashi said it is necessary to build a free and open international order that is inclusive and based on the rule of law in accordance with the vision of ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’. “The Quad is not an initiative to counter something nor for military cooperation; rather, to borrow Prime Minister Modi’s words, it is a ‘force for good.’” 

    He said the Quad member states have been working on a wide range of practical cooperation, including in health, infrastructure, climate change, maritime domain awareness and disaster response.

    “I strongly believe that candid discussions among the four countries, which share a common vision for the future, including at leaders and foreign ministers’ level, will contribute to the deepening of Japan-India relations as well,” he said.

    Replying to a question on overall India-Japan ties, Hayashi referred to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s announcement last year about the goal of 5 trillion yen public and private investment and financing from Japan to India in the next five years.

    “In order to achieve this goal, Japan is deepening economic bonds and encouraging Japanese companies to boost their investment in India. Looking ahead, we will work with India on pressing issues such as clean energy and economic security by building on our existing economic ties,” he said.

    “India is the world’s biggest democracy, and the Special Strategic Global Partner with whom Japan shares basic principles and strategic interests. Further, this year is crucial as Japan chairs G7 and India chairs G20. Japan wishes to cooperate closely with India and contribute to the international community,” he added.

    Hayashi described 2022 as a milestone year for Japan-India bilateral ties as it marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship.

    “Especially, our cooperation flourished in the area of security and defense, an example of which is the first ever Japan-India bilateral fighter jet exercise that took place in Japan in January this year,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has put a great strain on the global economy including energy and food security, and Japan is keen to respond to the challenges by working hand-in-hand with India, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday.

    In an exclusive interview to PTI, Hayashi cited China’s “unilateral attempts” to change the status quo by force in East and South China as well as its military activities around Taiwan as the region’s challenges and concerns.

    He said Japan’s revised National Security Strategy views China’s current external stance and military activities as “unprecedented” and the “greatest” strategic challenge in ensuring peace and stability of Japan and the international community.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    Hayashi also said that it is necessary to build a free and an open international order that is inclusive and based on the rule of law to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, a region that has seen mounting Chinese assertiveness.

    He said as the G7 president, Japan wishes to coordinate closely with the G20 president India in addressing pressing global challenges.

    “2023 is a crucial year as Japan chairs G7 and India chairs G20. As the premier forum for international economic cooperation, G20 is of paramount importance for responding effectively to issues facing the international community, such as food security and development,” he said.

    The Japanese foreign minister was in Delhi to attend a Quad foreign ministerial meeting that extensively deliberated on the situation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s military muscle flexing.

    He said the Quad or Quadrilateral coalition is neither an initiative to counter something nor for military cooperation and referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words that it is a “force for good”.

    The Japanese minister said given India’s “outstanding” leadership, including its hosting of the Voice of Global South Summit in January, having coordination with New Delhi has become more vital now.

    “Because of the adverse effect by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, establishing access to affordable, safe and nutritious food as well as ensuring resilient food security has become an urgent priority,” he said.

    “Moreover, transparent and fair developmental finance has become essential for sustainable development of developing countries. There is ample room for cooperation between G7 and G20, especially in these areas,” he added.

    Japan is the current chair of the powerful G7 grouping. “Nevertheless, given that Russia continues its aggression in Ukraine and is a member of the G20, we can no longer sustain cooperation in the same ways as before the invasion. We will explore how we can collaborate with such limitations in consultation with India,” he said.

    “Given India’s outstanding leadership, including its hosting Voice of Global South Summit in January, coordination with India is now even more vital. Japan looks forward to working hand in hand with India to lead responses to global challenges,” he said.

    The Japanese Foreign Minister noted that the Russian invasion of Ukraine put a great strain on the international economy and livelihoods of people all around the world in various aspects, including energy and food.

    “Given these circumstances, Japan is keen to discuss with India ways to respond to key issues such as food and energy security, with the cooperation of the international community,” he said.

    “In addition, leveraging existing economic ties, Japan will work with India bilaterally to respond to such challenges and consider ways of effective cooperation with middle to long-term perspectives,” he said.

    For instance, he said Japan wishes to utilise the Japan-India Clean Energy Partnership, launched during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to India in March 2022 in order to realise carbon neutral and safe and stable supply of energy. “New energy sources such as hydrogen and ammonia are also promising areas of cooperation,” Hayashi said.

    On China’s increasing muscle flexing in the region, the foreign minister said Japan is finding itself in the midst of the “most severe” and complex security environment since the end of World War II.

    He said maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law has never been more important than now.

    “Against this backdrop, Japan issued a new National Security Strategy. Vis-a-vis China, there are a number of challenges and concerns along with various opportunities, such as China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas, including in the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands,” he said.

    “This also includes a series of military activities by China around Taiwan, in particular the launch of ballistic missiles into the seas adjacent to Japan which also includes its Exclusive Economic Zones,” he said.

    Hayashi said the National Security Strategy revised late last year views China’s current external stance and military activities as an “unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge” in ensuring the peace and stability of Japan and the international community, as well as strengthening the international order based on the rule of law.

    “It states that Japan should respond with comprehensive national power and in cooperation with its ally and like-minded countries,” he said.

    At the same time, he said Japan and China have great responsibility towards the peace and prosperity of the region and the world.

    He said Japan will firmly maintain and assert our position and strongly requests responsible actions from China. “At the same time, both sides will make an effort to build a constructive and stable relationship by continuing dialogues, including at the leaders’ level, and working together on common challenges,” he said.

    On the Indo-Pacific, Hayashi said it is necessary to build a free and open international order that is inclusive and based on the rule of law in accordance with the vision of ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’. “The Quad is not an initiative to counter something nor for military cooperation; rather, to borrow Prime Minister Modi’s words, it is a ‘force for good.’” 

    He said the Quad member states have been working on a wide range of practical cooperation, including in health, infrastructure, climate change, maritime domain awareness and disaster response.

    “I strongly believe that candid discussions among the four countries, which share a common vision for the future, including at leaders and foreign ministers’ level, will contribute to the deepening of Japan-India relations as well,” he said.

    Replying to a question on overall India-Japan ties, Hayashi referred to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s announcement last year about the goal of 5 trillion yen public and private investment and financing from Japan to India in the next five years.

    “In order to achieve this goal, Japan is deepening economic bonds and encouraging Japanese companies to boost their investment in India. Looking ahead, we will work with India on pressing issues such as clean energy and economic security by building on our existing economic ties,” he said.

    “India is the world’s biggest democracy, and the Special Strategic Global Partner with whom Japan shares basic principles and strategic interests. Further, this year is crucial as Japan chairs G7 and India chairs G20. Japan wishes to cooperate closely with India and contribute to the international community,” he added.

    Hayashi described 2022 as a milestone year for Japan-India bilateral ties as it marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship.

    “Especially, our cooperation flourished in the area of security and defense, an example of which is the first ever Japan-India bilateral fighter jet exercise that took place in Japan in January this year,” he said.

  • G-20 meeting in India ends without consensus on Ukraine war

    By Associated Press

    BENGALURU: A meeting of finance chiefs of the Group of 20 leading economies ended on Saturday without a consensus, with Russia and China objecting to the description of the war in Ukraine in a final document.

    The meeting hosted by India issued the G-20 Chair’s summary and an outcome document stating that there was no agreement on the wording of the war in Ukraine. The first day of the meeting took place on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    The Group of Seven major industrial nations announced new sanctions against Russia on Friday, just as the talks of the G-20 group wrapped up in confusion in the Indian technology hub of Bengaluru.

    US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen condemned the “illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine” at a session attended by Russian officials and reiterated calls for G-20 nations to do more to support Ukraine and hinder Moscow’s war effort.

    ALSO READ | China seeks to water down G20 statement on Ukraine: Sources

    At the last major G-20 meeting, in Bali, Indonesia, in November, leaders had strongly condemned the war, warning that the conflict was intensifying fragilities in the world’s economy. The group includes Russia and also countries like China and India that have significant trade with Moscow.

    India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters that the communique prepared for the Bengaluru meeting carried two paragraphs from the Bali declaration, but Russia and China demanded they be deleted and said they could not be part of the final document this time.

    Their contention was they had approved the Bali declaration under the then prevailing circumstances, she said. “Now they didn’t want it,” Sitharaman said. She didn’t give any other details.

    The Bali declaration said that “most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed that it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy – constraining growth, increasing inflation, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food insecurity, and elevating financial stability risks.”

    ALSO READ | India’s G20 Presidency comes at ‘incredibly important time’: UK Foreign Secretary Cleverly

    The declaration also said: “There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions. G-20 is not the forum to resolve security issues, we acknowledge that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy.”

    The second paragraph of the declaration, which is now unacceptable to Russia and China, said, “It is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability. … The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, efforts to address crises, as well as diplomacy and dialogue, are vital. Today’s era must not be of war.”

    Sitharaman said the meeting could not issue a communique because of the objections raised by Russia and China and decided to opt for a summary and an outcome document.

    BENGALURU: A meeting of finance chiefs of the Group of 20 leading economies ended on Saturday without a consensus, with Russia and China objecting to the description of the war in Ukraine in a final document.

    The meeting hosted by India issued the G-20 Chair’s summary and an outcome document stating that there was no agreement on the wording of the war in Ukraine. The first day of the meeting took place on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    The Group of Seven major industrial nations announced new sanctions against Russia on Friday, just as the talks of the G-20 group wrapped up in confusion in the Indian technology hub of Bengaluru.

    US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen condemned the “illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine” at a session attended by Russian officials and reiterated calls for G-20 nations to do more to support Ukraine and hinder Moscow’s war effort.

    ALSO READ | China seeks to water down G20 statement on Ukraine: Sources

    At the last major G-20 meeting, in Bali, Indonesia, in November, leaders had strongly condemned the war, warning that the conflict was intensifying fragilities in the world’s economy. The group includes Russia and also countries like China and India that have significant trade with Moscow.

    India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters that the communique prepared for the Bengaluru meeting carried two paragraphs from the Bali declaration, but Russia and China demanded they be deleted and said they could not be part of the final document this time.

    Their contention was they had approved the Bali declaration under the then prevailing circumstances, she said. “Now they didn’t want it,” Sitharaman said. She didn’t give any other details.

    The Bali declaration said that “most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed that it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy – constraining growth, increasing inflation, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food insecurity, and elevating financial stability risks.”

    ALSO READ | India’s G20 Presidency comes at ‘incredibly important time’: UK Foreign Secretary Cleverly

    The declaration also said: “There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions. G-20 is not the forum to resolve security issues, we acknowledge that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy.”

    The second paragraph of the declaration, which is now unacceptable to Russia and China, said, “It is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability. … The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, efforts to address crises, as well as diplomacy and dialogue, are vital. Today’s era must not be of war.”

    Sitharaman said the meeting could not issue a communique because of the objections raised by Russia and China and decided to opt for a summary and an outcome document.

  • India amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a year later 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: It has been a year since the conflict broke out in Ukraine which triggered not just a humanitarian crisis but also led to a shortage of food and fuel and divided the world between Ukraine and Russia.

    India has been in the news since the outbreak of the conflict – not just for maintaining its own stand on the conflict, but for balancing its position by sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and increasing oil imports from Russia. India also outlined its take on the conflict and didn’t speak against Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s phrase ‘this is no era for war’ became a part of the joint statement of the G20 Summit held in Bali in 2022.

    Let’s look back at the year it has been since February 24th, 2022. When the conflict broke out, India had the humungous task of evacuating 22,000 Indian students who were studying across Universities in Ukraine. Ministers and diplomats were aligned and sent for the evacuation process from bordering states of Ukraine – Poland, Hungary.

    All but one student – who got hit by shrapnel and died – returned to India.

    As Russia began to get isolated by the world, India began to increase its oil imports from Russia as crude was available at a discount. From a mere 2 per of its total imports, India today imports close to 30 per cent of its crude requirement from them. Despite the sanctions imposed on Russia and the cap on the price of crude that was imposed by G7.

    India also extended humanitarian aid to Ukraine thereby maintaining a balance.India also managed to strike a deal with many nations including Russia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and a few nations in Africa to trade in local currencies.

    Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, made repeated calls to Russian President, Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelensky to resolve the conflict through dialogue and discussion.In the UN too India abstained from all votes against Russia. This move didn’t go down well with the US and Europe.

    Reacting to the posturing the West had against Ukraine and India’s stand, External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, during the Globesec conference in Bratislava (5th June, 2022)  said, “somewhere Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.’’

    Dr Jaishankar said that the world was oblivious to the challenges India faced in the neighbourhood and expected India to challenge its long-term ally Russia in the wake of the conflict.

    Meanwhile, the US began to reaffirm that India was a strategic partner and they were partners in the Indo-Pacific. The posturing was also to strengthen their position against China – with who the US has been at loggerheads over Taiwan.

    The leaders of the West, despite vehemently opposing Russia, came to terms with India’s stand on Russia.

    Prime Minister Modi’s comment ‘that this is no era for war’ was included in the joint statement of the Bali Summit in 2022.

    India is hosting the G20 Presidency this year and within a week’s time will host the Foreign Ministers meet. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken are both expected to attend the meeting. 

    With the way India has handled things in the past year, it is almost certain that they will continue to do the balancing act even on home turf.

    NEW DELHI: It has been a year since the conflict broke out in Ukraine which triggered not just a humanitarian crisis but also led to a shortage of food and fuel and divided the world between Ukraine and Russia.

    India has been in the news since the outbreak of the conflict – not just for maintaining its own stand on the conflict, but for balancing its position by sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and increasing oil imports from Russia. India also outlined its take on the conflict and didn’t speak against Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s phrase ‘this is no era for war’ became a part of the joint statement of the G20 Summit held in Bali in 2022.

    Let’s look back at the year it has been since February 24th, 2022. When the conflict broke out, India had the humungous task of evacuating 22,000 Indian students who were studying across Universities in Ukraine. Ministers and diplomats were aligned and sent for the evacuation process from bordering states of Ukraine – Poland, Hungary.

    All but one student – who got hit by shrapnel and died – returned to India.

    As Russia began to get isolated by the world, India began to increase its oil imports from Russia as crude was available at a discount. From a mere 2 per of its total imports, India today imports close to 30 per cent of its crude requirement from them. Despite the sanctions imposed on Russia and the cap on the price of crude that was imposed by G7.

    India also extended humanitarian aid to Ukraine thereby maintaining a balance.
    India also managed to strike a deal with many nations including Russia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and a few nations in Africa to trade in local currencies.

    Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, made repeated calls to Russian President, Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelensky to resolve the conflict through dialogue and discussion.
    In the UN too India abstained from all votes against Russia. This move didn’t go down well with the US and Europe.

    Reacting to the posturing the West had against Ukraine and India’s stand, External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, during the Globesec conference in Bratislava (5th June, 2022)  said, “somewhere Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.’’

    Dr Jaishankar said that the world was oblivious to the challenges India faced in the neighbourhood and expected India to challenge its long-term ally Russia in the wake of the conflict.

    Meanwhile, the US began to reaffirm that India was a strategic partner and they were partners in the Indo-Pacific. The posturing was also to strengthen their position against China – with who the US has been at loggerheads over Taiwan.

    The leaders of the West, despite vehemently opposing Russia, came to terms with India’s stand on Russia.

    Prime Minister Modi’s comment ‘that this is no era for war’ was included in the joint statement of the Bali Summit in 2022.

    India is hosting the G20 Presidency this year and within a week’s time will host the Foreign Ministers meet. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken are both expected to attend the meeting. 

    With the way India has handled things in the past year, it is almost certain that they will continue to do the balancing act even on home turf.

  • PM Modi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold talks over phone 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said he held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he counted on India’s participation for the implementation of his peace formula.

    Zelenskyy said he also wished Modi for a successful G20 presidency of India.

    “I had a phone call with @PMOIndia Narendra Modi and wished a successful #G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India’s participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN,” the Ukrainian president said in a tweet.

    I had a phone call with @PMOIndia Narendra Modi and wished a successful #G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India’s participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN.
    — Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 26, 2022
    There were no immediate details from the Indian side.

    Since the Ukraine conflict began in February, Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Zelenskyy a number of times.

    In a phone conversation with Zelenskyy on October 4, Modi said there can be “no military solution” and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts.

    India is yet to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

    NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said he held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he counted on India’s participation for the implementation of his peace formula.

    Zelenskyy said he also wished Modi for a successful G20 presidency of India.

    “I had a phone call with @PMOIndia Narendra Modi and wished a successful #G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India’s participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN,” the Ukrainian president said in a tweet.

    I had a phone call with @PMOIndia Narendra Modi and wished a successful #G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India’s participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN.
    — Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 26, 2022
    There were no immediate details from the Indian side.

    Since the Ukraine conflict began in February, Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Zelenskyy a number of times.

    In a phone conversation with Zelenskyy on October 4, Modi said there can be “no military solution” and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts.

    India is yet to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

  • India can play bridging role in divides caused by conflicts such as Ukraine: Jaishankar

    By PTI

    ABU DHABI: India can play a bridging role in an increasingly divided world around conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday.

    At the India Global Forum (IGF) UAE summit in Abu Dhabi, the minister highlighted two big divides in the world today, largely impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and analysed the role countries like India and the UAE can play.

    “One is the East-West divide centring around Ukraine and the other is a north-south divide centring around development,” said Jaishankar.

    “Ukraine is also having an impact on development. I do believe a country like India can play that bridging role, not alone but with other countries like UAE. There is the need today to bridge,” he said.

    Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, the Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, who was in conversation with Jaishankar during the summit session, called for a “quick end to the conflict in Ukraine.”

    “It will not end except politically. It is in our interest to ensure a political process that ends this conflict,” he said.

    Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24. The Russian action has been widely condemned by the US-led West. India has repeatedly called on Russia and Ukraine to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue and end their ongoing conflict.ALSO READ | Sensible to get best deal in interest of Indians: Jaishankar on Russian oil

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the presidents of Russia and Ukraine on multiple occasions and urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue for the resolution of the conflict.

    In his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan on September 16, Modi said “today’s era is not of war” and nudged him to end the conflict.

    India has not yet criticised the Russian attack on Ukraine and has been maintaining that the crisis should be resolved through dialogue.

    Earlier, Jaishankar opened the UAE summit, organised by UK-headquartered India Global Forum, with a keynote address around the geopolitical developments in the region and the role being played by India and the UAE as “partners for global impact.”

    On UAE-India bilateral relations, the minister noted that the historic ties have within it “centuries of comfort” with an often “intuitive” element.

    He pointed to the UAE as India’s third-largest trade partner and second-largest export destination and an important partner as the country with more Indian citizens than anywhere else abroad.

    ALSO READ | Ukraine slams India for buying Russian oil, calls it ‘morally inappropriate’

    ABU DHABI: India can play a bridging role in an increasingly divided world around conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday.

    At the India Global Forum (IGF) UAE summit in Abu Dhabi, the minister highlighted two big divides in the world today, largely impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and analysed the role countries like India and the UAE can play.

    “One is the East-West divide centring around Ukraine and the other is a north-south divide centring around development,” said Jaishankar.

    “Ukraine is also having an impact on development. I do believe a country like India can play that bridging role, not alone but with other countries like UAE. There is the need today to bridge,” he said.

    Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, the Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, who was in conversation with Jaishankar during the summit session, called for a “quick end to the conflict in Ukraine.”

    “It will not end except politically. It is in our interest to ensure a political process that ends this conflict,” he said.

    Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24. The Russian action has been widely condemned by the US-led West. India has repeatedly called on Russia and Ukraine to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue and end their ongoing conflict.ALSO READ | Sensible to get best deal in interest of Indians: Jaishankar on Russian oil

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the presidents of Russia and Ukraine on multiple occasions and urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue for the resolution of the conflict.

    In his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan on September 16, Modi said “today’s era is not of war” and nudged him to end the conflict.

    India has not yet criticised the Russian attack on Ukraine and has been maintaining that the crisis should be resolved through dialogue.

    Earlier, Jaishankar opened the UAE summit, organised by UK-headquartered India Global Forum, with a keynote address around the geopolitical developments in the region and the role being played by India and the UAE as “partners for global impact.”

    On UAE-India bilateral relations, the minister noted that the historic ties have within it “centuries of comfort” with an often “intuitive” element.

    He pointed to the UAE as India’s third-largest trade partner and second-largest export destination and an important partner as the country with more Indian citizens than anywhere else abroad.

    ALSO READ | Ukraine slams India for buying Russian oil, calls it ‘morally inappropriate’

  • Ties with Russia in focus as India helms group of big powers

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  As India takes over the G20 presidency – which will be marked by over 200 meetings across the country – one area of concern for some will be about how it tackles Russia. “India’s taking over G20 presidency is well received and we are sure that it will be a success. The only area of concern is how India will deal with Russia,” German ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann said.

    India has made no bones about its equation with Russia as relations between the two countries have been cemented by enhanced trade ties even during the Ukraine conflict. “India is well prepared for G20, beginning with the Sherpa meeting in Udaipur next week. I was in Havelock Islands, Andamans, last week for the curtain raiser. India is clearly a heavyweight in G20 presidency,’’ Ackermann added.

    India’s G20 presidency will promote sense of oneness, with the theme, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. “India’s G20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive.Let us join together to make India’s G20 presidency a presidency of healing, harmony and hope.Let us work together to shape a new paradigm of human-centric globalisation,’’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said while receiving the presidency in Bali last month.

    The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and European Union. During its one-year presidency, India has several things planned. Many delegates from the member countries and guest countries will arrive in India for various programmes.

    Over 100 monuments across India will be illuminated by the G20 logo, which shows a blooming lotus. Over the next few months, there will be a ‘University Connect’ event which will bring together students of about 75 universities.

    NEW DELHI:  As India takes over the G20 presidency – which will be marked by over 200 meetings across the country – one area of concern for some will be about how it tackles Russia. “India’s taking over G20 presidency is well received and we are sure that it will be a success. The only area of concern is how India will deal with Russia,” German ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann said.

    India has made no bones about its equation with Russia as relations between the two countries have been cemented by enhanced trade ties even during the Ukraine conflict. “India is well prepared for G20, beginning with the Sherpa meeting in Udaipur next week. I was in Havelock Islands, Andamans, last week for the curtain raiser. India is clearly a heavyweight in G20 presidency,’’ Ackermann added.

    India’s G20 presidency will promote sense of oneness, with the theme, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. “India’s G20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive.Let us join together to make India’s G20 presidency a presidency of healing, harmony and hope.Let us work together to shape a new paradigm of human-centric globalisation,’’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said while receiving the presidency in Bali last month.

    The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and European Union. During its one-year presidency, India has several things planned. Many delegates from the member countries and guest countries will arrive in India for various programmes.

    Over 100 monuments across India will be illuminated by the G20 logo, which shows a blooming lotus. Over the next few months, there will be a ‘University Connect’ event which will bring together students of about 75 universities.

  • US treasury secretary Janet Yellen nudges India to cut business ties with China, Russia

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Seeking to nudge India to cut trade ties with China and Russia, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen on Friday said it is high time the world moved away from doing business with “risky countries”. 

    Pitching the concept of ‘friendshoring’, where countries will source their needs from those with shared values, she said: “For too long, countries around the world have been overly dependent on risky countries or a single source for critical inputs.

    We are proactively deepening economic integration with trusted trading partners like India.” Meanwhile, in a separate development that could sweeten the pitch, the US Department of Treasury on Friday removed India from its Currency Monitoring List. India had been on the list for the last two years.

    Yellen also noted that the while the Ukraine war has brought distress to the world economy with energy prices skyrocketing, the challenges from the conflict and supply strains have in fact brought India and the US closer together. India is an indispensable partner to the US, Yellen added.  

    Addressing the media jointly with Yellen, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India and the US will look forward to strengthening bilateral ties with greater vigour. “We will continue to rely on close cooperation with the US to address the global economic challenges in a more coordinated manner and in strengthening multilateralism,” she said. 

    NEW DELHI: Seeking to nudge India to cut trade ties with China and Russia, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen on Friday said it is high time the world moved away from doing business with “risky countries”. 

    Pitching the concept of ‘friendshoring’, where countries will source their needs from those with shared values, she said: “For too long, countries around the world have been overly dependent on risky countries or a single source for critical inputs.

    We are proactively deepening economic integration with trusted trading partners like India.” Meanwhile, in a separate development that could sweeten the pitch, the US Department of Treasury on Friday removed India from its Currency Monitoring List. India had been on the list for the last two years.

    Yellen also noted that the while the Ukraine war has brought distress to the world economy with energy prices skyrocketing, the challenges from the conflict and supply strains have in fact brought India and the US closer together. India is an indispensable partner to the US, Yellen added.  

    Addressing the media jointly with Yellen, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India and the US will look forward to strengthening bilateral ties with greater vigour. “We will continue to rely on close cooperation with the US to address the global economic challenges in a more coordinated manner and in strengthening multilateralism,” she said. 

  • “Would like to keep it going,” says Jaishankar on Russian oil imports

    By ANI

    MOSCOW: India’s relationship with Russia has worked to its advantage and New Delhi would like to keep that going, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday, as he reaffirmed strong ties with Moscow. Jaishankar made these remarks during a joint press conference along with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

    Answering a question about India’s increasing oil import amid western outcry, he said, “There is stress on the energy market created by a combination of factors. But as the world’s third-largest consumer… a consumer where the level of income is not very high, it is our obligation to ensure that the Indian consumer has the best possible access to the most advantageous terms on the international market.”

    “…in that respect, the India-Russia relationship has worked to my advantage. If it works to my advantage, I would like to keep that going,” he added.

    The external affairs minister said his presence in Moscow to review bilateral cooperation speaks volumes about India-Russia cooperation. “The fact that I am here today with a delegation to review our cooperation speaks about India-Russia cooperation to see how we can take it forward to create a long-term and sustainable basis, says it all,” he said.

    He further pointed out, how for India, Russia has been “a steady and time-tested partner.”

    “…I said any objective evaluation of our relations for many decades would confirm that it has served both our countries very well., If it has served my country for many many decades. I think you can see the obvious interests and commitment I would have in keeping that relationship strong and steady,” he added.

    The war in Ukraine which started in February has had a significant impact on global food security and has led to a sudden increase in crude prices following western sanctions on Moscow. Earlier, India said its oil imports will be determined by its national interest and its large consumer base.

    New Delhi has not condemned Russia since the start of the conflict and has maintained its independent position. However, on several UN forums, New Delhi has consistently called for a cessation of violence and advocated peace and diplomacy. READ | India will ‘benefit’ from price cap on Russian oil: US Treasury Secretary Yellen

    MOSCOW: India’s relationship with Russia has worked to its advantage and New Delhi would like to keep that going, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday, as he reaffirmed strong ties with Moscow. Jaishankar made these remarks during a joint press conference along with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

    Answering a question about India’s increasing oil import amid western outcry, he said, “There is stress on the energy market created by a combination of factors. But as the world’s third-largest consumer… a consumer where the level of income is not very high, it is our obligation to ensure that the Indian consumer has the best possible access to the most advantageous terms on the international market.”

    “…in that respect, the India-Russia relationship has worked to my advantage. If it works to my advantage, I would like to keep that going,” he added.

    The external affairs minister said his presence in Moscow to review bilateral cooperation speaks volumes about India-Russia cooperation. “The fact that I am here today with a delegation to review our cooperation speaks about India-Russia cooperation to see how we can take it forward to create a long-term and sustainable basis, says it all,” he said.

    He further pointed out, how for India, Russia has been “a steady and time-tested partner.”

    “…I said any objective evaluation of our relations for many decades would confirm that it has served both our countries very well., If it has served my country for many many decades. I think you can see the obvious interests and commitment I would have in keeping that relationship strong and steady,” he added.

    The war in Ukraine which started in February has had a significant impact on global food security and has led to a sudden increase in crude prices following western sanctions on Moscow. Earlier, India said its oil imports will be determined by its national interest and its large consumer base.

    New Delhi has not condemned Russia since the start of the conflict and has maintained its independent position. However, on several UN forums, New Delhi has consistently called for a cessation of violence and advocated peace and diplomacy. READ | India will ‘benefit’ from price cap on Russian oil: US Treasury Secretary Yellen

  • ‘No one has told us not to buy oil from Russia’: Hardeep Singh Puri

    By PTI

    WASHINGTON: The Indian government has a moral duty to provide energy to its citizens and it will continue to buy oil from wherever it has to, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday, asserting that no country has told India to stop buying oil from Russia.

    The Russia-Ukraine war has had a far-reaching impact on the global energy system, disrupting supply and demand patterns and fracturing long-standing trading relationships.

    It has pushed up energy prices for many consumers and businesses around the world, hurting households, industries and entire economies of several nations.

    India’s crude oil imports from Russia have jumped over 50 times since April and now it makes up for 10 per cent of all crude bought from overseas.

    Russian oil made up for just 0.2 per cent of all oil imported by India prior to the Ukraine war.

    The Western countries are gradually bringing down their energy purchases from Russia following its attack on Ukraine.

    ALSO READ | Spike in oil price is breaking India’s back: S Jaishankar

    “India will buy oil from wherever it has to for the simple reason that this kind of a discussion cannot be taken to the consuming population of India,” Puri told a group of Indian reporters here, adding that the government has a moral duty to provide energy to its people.

    Responding to a question, he said India has not been told by anyone to stop buying oil from Russia.

    “If you are clear about your policy, which means you believe in energy security and energy affordability, you will buy from wherever you have to purchase energy from sources,” Puri said after his bilateral meeting with US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

    During his meeting, Puri “broached the idea” of India-US Green Corridor, which elicited a positive response from his US counterpart.

    “The turbulence in the energy markets, and I’m using the word turbulence support carefully, will not allow India’s resolve to transition to green clean and sustainable energy,” he said.

    The two countries would now look into broader contours of this ambitious Green Energy Corridor.

    India’s import from the US is shooting up and currently buying USD20 billion worth of energy from the United States.

    There are discussions on buying more from the United States, he said.

    While work on green energy would continue, traditional exploration and production of oil and gas would continue as well, he noted.

    The world is also in progress on green hydrogen. India and the US have an advantage which at present is not being realised, he added.

    WASHINGTON: The Indian government has a moral duty to provide energy to its citizens and it will continue to buy oil from wherever it has to, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday, asserting that no country has told India to stop buying oil from Russia.

    The Russia-Ukraine war has had a far-reaching impact on the global energy system, disrupting supply and demand patterns and fracturing long-standing trading relationships.

    It has pushed up energy prices for many consumers and businesses around the world, hurting households, industries and entire economies of several nations.

    India’s crude oil imports from Russia have jumped over 50 times since April and now it makes up for 10 per cent of all crude bought from overseas.

    Russian oil made up for just 0.2 per cent of all oil imported by India prior to the Ukraine war.

    The Western countries are gradually bringing down their energy purchases from Russia following its attack on Ukraine.

    ALSO READ | Spike in oil price is breaking India’s back: S Jaishankar

    “India will buy oil from wherever it has to for the simple reason that this kind of a discussion cannot be taken to the consuming population of India,” Puri told a group of Indian reporters here, adding that the government has a moral duty to provide energy to its people.

    Responding to a question, he said India has not been told by anyone to stop buying oil from Russia.

    “If you are clear about your policy, which means you believe in energy security and energy affordability, you will buy from wherever you have to purchase energy from sources,” Puri said after his bilateral meeting with US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

    During his meeting, Puri “broached the idea” of India-US Green Corridor, which elicited a positive response from his US counterpart.

    “The turbulence in the energy markets, and I’m using the word turbulence support carefully, will not allow India’s resolve to transition to green clean and sustainable energy,” he said.

    The two countries would now look into broader contours of this ambitious Green Energy Corridor.

    India’s import from the US is shooting up and currently buying USD20 billion worth of energy from the United States.

    There are discussions on buying more from the United States, he said.

    While work on green energy would continue, traditional exploration and production of oil and gas would continue as well, he noted.

    The world is also in progress on green hydrogen. India and the US have an advantage which at present is not being realised, he added.

  • Five decades on, residential complex in Chhattisgarh still stands testimony to India-Russia bond

    By PTI

    BHILAI: A walk through the heart of ‘steel city’ Bhilai in Chhattisgarh leads to a beautifully landscaped residential colony which came up for Russians in late 1970s.

    Located in the middle of wide roads lined with lush green trees, the premises named ‘Russian Complex’ still stands firmly, symbolising the bond between India and Russia, though no Russians live there any more.

    The history of the complex, located 40 kilometres from capital Raipur, is related to the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), one of the first integrated steel units set up in the country in 1950s with the collaboration of the then Soviet Union.

    Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India, inaugurated the BSP in 1959 in Bhilai in the undivided Madhya Pradesh and now located in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district.

    The plant attracted a large number of people from other states including Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh for jobs, which gave rise to a cosmopolitan culture and the Bhilai sector area township with multiple facilities.

    As the plant was built with Russian technology, technicians and experts from that country also stayed here for more than four decades and worked in the plant.

    In February 1955, an agreement was signed between India and the Soviet Union for the integrated iron and steel plant in Bhilai and since then the influx of Russians started here, retired BSP officials told PTI.

    During the initial days, engineers and experts from Russia along with their Indian counterparts stayed in Durg circuit house where tents were also set up for accommodating them, said Kiran Kapoor, who retired as executive director (material management) from the BSP in 2010.

    They were later shifted to Bhilai Niwas, which is now known as ‘Bhilai Hotel’.

    In late 1970s, the sprawling Russian Complex, which had 153 houses, was built for them in Sector-7 of the Bhilai township, he said.

    “I had a lot of friends in the Russian Complex. We never felt like outsiders as they mixed up with us and even celebrated Indian festivals. Like me, other Indians who worked in the plant used to spend time with the Russians there,” Kapoor said.

    Till 1984-85, several Russian experts continued to work in the plant, but their presence started diminishing later with the introduction of technologies from other countries like Germany, Canada and Austria during the expansion of the plant, he said.

    A few Russian experts worked in the plant till 2007-08 for operation and management of its blast furnace.

    But, they had vacated the Russian Complex long before that, he said.

    Despite Russians no longer staying in the complex, its name was never changed.

    It still signifies the cordial relations between India and Russia, Kapoor said.

    Ludmila Mukherji (59) is among some of those Russian women who married Indians and settled in Bhilai.

    Her memory of the Russian Complex exhibits its joyful scene.

    “I met Subrato Mukherjee in Ukraine in 1980 when he was there to pursue an engineering course. We got married in 1985 and I came with him here in 1986,” she said.

    Ludmila Mukherji said she initially worked as secretary to a general manager in the BSP from the Russian side and later as an interpreter.

    Her husband retired from the BSP in 2019.

    She now owns a boutique here and lives in Sector-10, close to the Russian Complex.

    “Though I was not living in the Russian Complex, my initial days in Bhilai were mostly spent there.  I even used to teach the wife of some Russian BSP officials in the complex. I can never forget those days,” she said.

    She became emotional remembering those days and said she could not specify precisely when the Russians started vacating the complex, but it was sometime in the early 1990s.

    “My father was from Russia and mother from Ukraine. I have family members in both countries,” she said.

    Ludmila last visited Ukraine and Russia in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

    Subir Daripa, who retired from the BSP’s public relations department this year, said Russians had very close relations with Indians in Bhilai.

    “The Russians were never sort of segregated from the rest of the Indian population in Bhilai. It was not like that Indians were not allowed inside the Russian Complex. We have seen the Russians since our childhood. They used to visit local vegetable market carrying bags. Potatoes were their favourite,” Daripa said.

    He said a well landscaped swimming pool for Russians in the complex, which has now become a part of the Bhilai Management Development Centre set up there, also fascinated them at that time.

    “We still remember the weekly and annual cultural programmes which used to held in the complex under the Indo-Soviet Forum,” he said.

    After the Russians started vacating the complex, the houses were allotted to BSP officials.

    Though there are no Russians in the complex now, the place still reminds of them, he said.

    BHILAI: A walk through the heart of ‘steel city’ Bhilai in Chhattisgarh leads to a beautifully landscaped residential colony which came up for Russians in late 1970s.

    Located in the middle of wide roads lined with lush green trees, the premises named ‘Russian Complex’ still stands firmly, symbolising the bond between India and Russia, though no Russians live there any more.

    The history of the complex, located 40 kilometres from capital Raipur, is related to the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), one of the first integrated steel units set up in the country in 1950s with the collaboration of the then Soviet Union.

    Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India, inaugurated the BSP in 1959 in Bhilai in the undivided Madhya Pradesh and now located in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district.

    The plant attracted a large number of people from other states including Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh for jobs, which gave rise to a cosmopolitan culture and the Bhilai sector area township with multiple facilities.

    As the plant was built with Russian technology, technicians and experts from that country also stayed here for more than four decades and worked in the plant.

    In February 1955, an agreement was signed between India and the Soviet Union for the integrated iron and steel plant in Bhilai and since then the influx of Russians started here, retired BSP officials told PTI.

    During the initial days, engineers and experts from Russia along with their Indian counterparts stayed in Durg circuit house where tents were also set up for accommodating them, said Kiran Kapoor, who retired as executive director (material management) from the BSP in 2010.

    They were later shifted to Bhilai Niwas, which is now known as ‘Bhilai Hotel’.

    In late 1970s, the sprawling Russian Complex, which had 153 houses, was built for them in Sector-7 of the Bhilai township, he said.

    “I had a lot of friends in the Russian Complex. We never felt like outsiders as they mixed up with us and even celebrated Indian festivals. Like me, other Indians who worked in the plant used to spend time with the Russians there,” Kapoor said.

    Till 1984-85, several Russian experts continued to work in the plant, but their presence started diminishing later with the introduction of technologies from other countries like Germany, Canada and Austria during the expansion of the plant, he said.

    A few Russian experts worked in the plant till 2007-08 for operation and management of its blast furnace.

    But, they had vacated the Russian Complex long before that, he said.

    Despite Russians no longer staying in the complex, its name was never changed.

    It still signifies the cordial relations between India and Russia, Kapoor said.

    Ludmila Mukherji (59) is among some of those Russian women who married Indians and settled in Bhilai.

    Her memory of the Russian Complex exhibits its joyful scene.

    “I met Subrato Mukherjee in Ukraine in 1980 when he was there to pursue an engineering course. We got married in 1985 and I came with him here in 1986,” she said.

    Ludmila Mukherji said she initially worked as secretary to a general manager in the BSP from the Russian side and later as an interpreter.

    Her husband retired from the BSP in 2019.

    She now owns a boutique here and lives in Sector-10, close to the Russian Complex.

    “Though I was not living in the Russian Complex, my initial days in Bhilai were mostly spent there.  I even used to teach the wife of some Russian BSP officials in the complex. I can never forget those days,” she said.

    She became emotional remembering those days and said she could not specify precisely when the Russians started vacating the complex, but it was sometime in the early 1990s.

    “My father was from Russia and mother from Ukraine. I have family members in both countries,” she said.

    Ludmila last visited Ukraine and Russia in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

    Subir Daripa, who retired from the BSP’s public relations department this year, said Russians had very close relations with Indians in Bhilai.

    “The Russians were never sort of segregated from the rest of the Indian population in Bhilai. It was not like that Indians were not allowed inside the Russian Complex. We have seen the Russians since our childhood. They used to visit local vegetable market carrying bags. Potatoes were their favourite,” Daripa said.

    He said a well landscaped swimming pool for Russians in the complex, which has now become a part of the Bhilai Management Development Centre set up there, also fascinated them at that time.

    “We still remember the weekly and annual cultural programmes which used to held in the complex under the Indo-Soviet Forum,” he said.

    After the Russians started vacating the complex, the houses were allotted to BSP officials.

    Though there are no Russians in the complex now, the place still reminds of them, he said.