News Analysis India

Tag: Russia

  • Covid pandemic, Ukraine war behind price rise: Rajnath

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the coronavirus pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war have caused price rise and the government has taken several steps to tackle the challenge.

    Even developed countries like the USA and China are not untouched by inflation, he said according to a press release. 

    “Inflation has increased in the country due to coronavirus and the Ukraine crisis,” he said addressing a programme organised by the Lucknow Intellectual Foundation Addressing a Financial Markets Workshop organised by the Indian Institute of Chartered Accountants, Rajnath Singh said the economy has been affected due to COVID-19, prices have increased slightly and steps have been taken to deal with the challenges.

    The Reserve Bank has also taken steps to reduce inflation, whose results will be out soon, he said. “Many agency surveys are showing that India is the fastest growing economy. Our government has signed a major free trade agreement with Australia,” he said.

    According to the press release, Rajnath also claimed that efforts made by the BJP government to check the coronavirus crisis have been appreciated by the World Health Organization.

    Ever since the Modi government was formed in 2014, India’s credibility on the world stage has increased and now the whole world listens carefully to what India says, he said, adding that all this has happened because of the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Singh said India is currently the sixth largest economy in the world and the vision is to be named among the top three economies in the world in coming 10 years.

    Singh, who took part in a number of programmes, discussed development projects in Lucknow and said six flyovers have been built here and five new ones have been approved. He said officials have been asked to complete the work at the earliest.

    Many prominent leaders, including former UP deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, were present on this occasion. Padma Shri recipient litterateur Vidya Bindu Singh requested Rajnath to rename Lucknow as Laxman Puri.

  • India calls for cessation of hostilities in Ukraine ahead of PM Modi’s Europe trip

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a tour of three European nations, India on Sunday once again called for the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, noting that was an appreciation of its position on the crisis by its partner countries.

    At a media briefing, newly appointed Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra underlined the “context, clarity, importance and positive dimension” of India’s position on Ukraine and asserted that there should not be any doubt about it.

    On his first trip abroad this year, Modi will embark on a three-day visit to Germany, Denmark and France beginning Monday amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

    “Our position on Ukraine has been clear. First, there should be a cessation of hostilities; second, a solution must be found out through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said, adding this view has been conveyed very clearly to various countries.

    The foreign secretary said the visit is focused on expanding India’s bilateral ties with the three European nations in a range of areas including trade and investment, clean energy, digital technology and defence, and added that the Ukraine issue will figure in the talks as part of discussions on regional and global developments.

    He said India’s international partners have an understanding of its standpoint on Ukraine and they even have a deep appreciation for it.

    Kwatra said discussions on energy security will be one of the key areas of discussion during Modi’s visit as it has assumed greater significance in the current circumstances.

    There has been a wider debate and discussion in Europe over ending dependence on its reliance on Russian energy in view of its attack on Ukraine.

    The foreign secretary talked about the “changing elements” of energy security, its impact on developing countries like India, the challenges in the sector and the mitigation of the challenges.

    “I am sure this would constitute one of the elements in the overall discussions. But naturally one single item would not define what the structure of the discussions would be,” he said.

    Kwatra said Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) on Monday. It will be followed by a high-level roundtable where Modi and Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries.

    Modi is also scheduled to interact with the Indian diaspora in Germany.

    “The meeting between the two leaders would provide an excellent platform not only to strengthen the existing multi-faceted bilateral partnership but to also shape and develop an ambitious agenda of cooperation for months and years ahead including in the field of the development partnership, green agenda, trade and investment linkages,” Kwatra said.

    German Chancellor Scholz is scheduled to host Modi at a private dinner.

    From Germany, Modi will travel to Copenhagen at the invitation of the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. He will also participate in the second India-Nordic summit being hosted by Denmark.

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and a number of other senior Union ministers are expected to accompany Modi to Germany as the format of the IGC mandates direct talks between senior ministers from the two sides on cooperation in specific areas.

    In Denmark, Modi is scheduled to hold separate bilateral talks with leaders of Norway, Sweeden, Iceland and Finland.

    “The prime minister’s first visit in 2022 factors an ambitious and substantial agenda packed into an intense schedule. The principal purpose of the visit is for India to continue to strengthen its multi-dimensional multi-faceted partnerships with key countries of Europe,” the foreign secretary said.

    On May 4, Modi will have a brief stopover in Paris on his return journey where he will hold extensive talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected to the top post last week.

    “Modi’s visit to France will provide an opportunity to carry forward high-level engagement between the two countries following the French presidential election,” Kwatra said.

    “Both countries have continuously nurtured and delivered on the ambition of their strategic partnership,” he said.

    Asked whether the Ukraine crisis will figure in his talks with the European leaders, Kwatra said: “When the prime minister interfaces with the leaders, naturally issues of regional and global importance would also figure in the discussions.”

    “But the principal focus of the visit is to structure and strengthen bilateral partnership across a range of areas and exchange perspectives on Ukraine issues.” The foreign secretary also said that it would not be correct for him to comment on the position of each of these countries on the Ukraine issue.

    Reflecting the EU’s tough approach in dealing with the Russian aggression, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the Raisina Dialogue on Monday that Europe will make sure that Moscow’s “unprovoked and unjustified” aggression against Ukraine will be a “strategic failure.

    India has not yet publicly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine and has been calling for the resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

  • Focus should be on stopping fighting: EAM Jaishankar on Ukraine

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The best way to deal with the conflict in Ukraine would be to focus on “stopping the fighting and getting the talking” to move forward and India’s position on the crisis is best placed to advance such an approach, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday.

    His comments came in response to a question at an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier foreign policy and geo-economics conference.

    Jaishankar on Tuesday countered criticism of India’s position on Russia’s actions in Ukraine, saying the Western powers have been oblivious to the pressing challenges in Asia including last year’s developments in Afghanistan.

    “We spent a lot of time yesterday on Ukraine and I have tried to explain what our views are but also explained that in our minds the best way forward is to focus on stopping the fighting, getting the talking and finding ways of moving forward.

    We think our choices, our positions are best placed to advance that,” he said.

    India has not yet publicly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine and has been calling for the resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

    In his address, Jaishankar talked about India’s 75-year-long journey after Independence and highlighted how the country played a key role in promoting democracy in South Asia.

    Reflecting on areas where India came up short, the external affairs minister listed a lack of adequate attention to human resources and manufacturing and mentioned that probably not much attention was given to hard security as part of foreign policy.

    Asked about what should be the priority for the country in the next 25 years, Jaishankar said capability development in all possible areas should be the central focus.

    “We have to be confident about who we are. I think it is better to engage the world on the basis of who we are…This idea that others define us, somehow we need to get the approval of other quarters, I think that is an era we need to put behind us,” Jaishankar said.

    He hoped that India will be “deeply more international” in terms of its commitments, responsibilities and roles in the next 25 years.

    “We should not be looking at the world with a sense of entitlement. We need to earn our place in the world and which to a certain extent, therefore, comes to the issue of how the world benefits from the growth of India. We need to demonstrate that ” he said.

    The external affairs minister was asked what India expects from the world.

    “There is a lot of talk about reliable and resilient supply chains and people speak about transparency and trusted technologies. If India could do more and show the rest of the world that the world benefits by India being bigger,” Jaishankar said.

    “So we need to develop stakes in our future whether the rest of the world is concerned. I think some of that is happening for strategic reasons obviously, but we need to make more of it happen especially for economic reasons,” he added.

    Showcasing India’s 75-year-long successful democratic journey, Jaishankar said the choices made by India have had a larger influence globally.

    “There was a time in this part of the world that we were pretty much the only democracy. If democracy is global today, we see it is global today, I think, in some measure, that credit is due to India,” Jaishankar said.

    He noted that it is also fair to look back on where the country came up short.

    “One, clearly we did not pay the kind of attention to our social indicators, our human resources as we should have. Two, we did not concentrate on manufacturing and technology strengths as we should have. And three, in terms of foreign policy, probably, in the mix of various elements, we did not give as much importance, as much weight to hard security as we should have,” he said.

    The external affairs minister said India contributed to the spreading of democracy in South Asia.

    “We would like to see more prosperity in South Asia. If India has been in a sense example of democracy or promoter of democracy in South Asia, we would now like to be part of a larger lifting tide so that the rest of South Asia grows along with us,” Jaishankar said.

    Asked about the shortage of wheat in the wake of the war in Ukraine and if India would like to contribute to addressing the issue.

    “We have a significant wheat production. We would obviously go into the global markets and try to compensate for the shortfalls as much as we can. It (Egypt) is one of the countries with whom we are talking,” he said.

  • Despite political differences, Priyanka Chaturvedi supported govt stand on oil purchasing from Russia

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Despite political differences, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi came out in support of India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s remark on the issue of oil purchasing from Russia given during the 2+2 ministerial talks at Washington.

    Jaishankar had categorically said, “If you are looking at (India’s) energy purchases from Russia, I would suggest your attention should be on Europe. We buy some energy necessary for our energy security. But I suspect, looking at figures, purchase for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon.”

    Sharing these lines of Jaishankar’s remark through her Twitter handle, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described the remark as ‘superb’ from External Affair Minister putting an emoji of applause.

    Jaishankar’s remarks came at a time when many countries including the US, have imposed multiple sanctions on Russia for being in a war against Ukraine.

    Speaking to this newspaper, Chaturvedi on late Tuesday evening said, “Party (Shiv Sena) stands by India at international forums. Country’s interest comes first for us in politics.” Giving thumbs-up to EAM for his brilliant remarks, she further said that the opposition has come together on this issue. “Remember, the opposition has come together on this issue as was obvious in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha discussions on the Ukraine crisis,” she added.

    She also said, “Our differences were with regards to the evacuation of the students stranded in war-hit Ukraine, but as far as the policy for energy security is needed, we are all aligned on the issue.”

  • Situation in Ukraine “very worrisome”: PM Modi at virtual meeting with President Biden

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: President Joe Biden on Monday said the US and India will continue consultations to cope with the “destabilising” effects of the Russian war in Ukraine during a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who highlighted the need for direct talks between President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart to resolve the crisis.

    In his televised opening remarks, Modi called the situation in Ukraine “very worrisome” and hoped that the ongoing dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv will lead to peace.

    A readout by the White House said Modi and Biden discussed the “destabilising impacts of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with a particular focus on global food supply”.

    In his remarks, Modi said the recent reports of killings of innocent civilians in Bucha city were very concerning and that India immediately condemned it and demanded a fair investigation.

    The prime minister referred to his phone conversations with the Ukrainian and Russian presidents and said he suggested to Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart.

    The virtual meeting came in the midst of some disquiet in Washington over India’s position on the Ukraine crisis as well as its decision to procure discounted Russian oil.

    In his remarks Biden talked about the strong India-US defence partnership, stressing that both the countries are going to “continue our close consultation on how to manage the destabilizing effects of this Russian war”.

    “Our today’s talks are taking place at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains very worrisome. Till a few weeks ago, more than 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine. And most of these were young students,” Modi said.

    The prime minister also noted that an Indian student lost his life in Ukraine. “After a lot of hard work, we were able to get them out of there safely, although one student lost his life. Throughout this development, I spoke on the phone several times with the Presidents of both Ukraine and Russia,” he said.

    “Not only did I appeal for peace, but I also suggested President Putin to have direct talks with the President of Ukraine. The subject of Ukraine has been discussed in great detail in our Parliament as well,” Modi added.

    The Modi-Biden meeting took place ahead of the fourth India-US ‘2+2’ dialogue in Washington which will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the Indian side and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken.

    Singh, Jaishankar, Austin and Blinken were at the White House during the Modi-Biden talks.

    “The two leaders had an extensive exchange of views on several regional and global issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, climate action, recent developments in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the situation in Ukraine,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

    It said Modi and Biden also took stock of the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years.

    “Both leaders agreed that further strengthening of the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership would be of tremendous benefit to the two countries, and would also contribute to global peace, prosperity and stability,” it said.

    In his remarks, Biden said continued consultation and dialogue between India and the US are key to ensuring that the relationship keeps growing “deeper and stronger delivering our people and our global good that we all are seeking to manage particularly in your part of the world.”

    “I want to welcome India’s humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine who are suffering the horrific assault including a tragic shelling on a train station last week that killed dozens of innocent children, women and civilians attempting to flee the violence,” Biden said.

    “The root of our partnership is a deep connection between our people, ties of family, of friendship and of shared values,” the US president said.

    At the meeting, Modi also talked about India’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

    “We have also placed importance on the safety of civilian people in Ukraine and the uninterrupted supply of humanitarian aid to them and which you have just mentioned in the beginning,” Modi said.

    “On our behalf, we have sent medicines and other relief materials to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. And on the demand of Ukraine we are sending another consignment of medicines very soon,” he said.

    The prime minister also referred to Biden’s slogan at the very beginning of his that ‘democracies can deliver’. “The success of India-US partnership is the best way to make this slogan meaningful,” he said.

    Referring to the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, Modi said he was confident that India-US friendship will be an integral part of India’s development journey for the next 25 years.

    “In September last year, when I came to Washington, and which you have just mentioned, you said that the India-US partnership can contribute to resolving many global problems. I completely agree with you,” Modi said. “As the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, we are natural partners,” he said.

    The White House said the two leaders committed to strengthening the US-India relationship through cooperation on clean energy, technology and military cooperation, and expanded economic and people-to-people ties.

    “They also committed to continuing cooperation — bilaterally and multilaterally — on ending the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening global health security, advancing global food security, and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it said.

    “They emphasized their shared commitment, as leaders of the world’s largest democracies, to respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” the White House said.

    Unlike its Quad partner countries, India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes at the UN platforms on the Russian aggression.

    India has been pressing for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine and seeking a resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.

    Modi has held phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7. He had also spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.

    In a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on April 1, Modi conveyed that India stands ready to contribute in any way to the peace efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

  • PM Modi and US President hold virtual meeting

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night hoped that the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine will pave the way for peace in the conflict-torn country.

    In his opening remarks, Modi described the recent reports of the killing of innocent civilians in Bucha city as “very worrying” and said India immediately condemned it and demanded a fair investigation.

    The prime minister referred to his phone conversation with the Presidents of both Ukraine and Russia. “‘I suggested President Putin have direct talks with the President of Ukraine,” Modi said.

    “As the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, we are natural partners,” Modi said on ties with the US, adding, “Our talks today are taking place at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains very worrying.” On his part, Biden welcomed India’s humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine.

    The US President said US and India are going to continue their close consultation on how to manage and stabilise the effects of this Russian war. He also referred to the strong and growing defence partnership between India and the US.

    The Modi-Biden meeting took place ahead of the fourth India-US ‘2+2’ dialogue in Washington which will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the Indian side and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken.

    The virtual meeting comes in the midst of some disquiet in Washington over India’s position on the Ukraine crisis as well as its decision to procure discounted Russian oil.

    The US President last spoke to Modi and other Quad leaders during a virtual meeting in March.

    Unlike its Quad partner countries, India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes at the UN platforms on the Russian aggression.

    India has been pressing for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine and seeking a resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.

    Modi held phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7. He had also spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.

    In a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on April 1, Modi conveyed that India stands ready to contribute in any way to the peace efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

  • Pink Floyd releases first new song since 1994 for Ukraine

    By AFP

    PARIS: Pink Floyd have written their first new song in almost 30 years to support Ukrainians, the band announced on Thursday. 

    “Hey, Hey, Rise-Up!” will be released  on Friday, and be used to raise funds for humanitarian causes linked to the war. It samples Andriy Khlyvnyuk, from one of Ukraine’s biggest bands BoomBox, singing in Sofiyskaya Square in Kyiv in a clip that went viral. Khlyvnyukh abandoned a world tour to return to Ukraine and help defend his country. 

    “We, like so many, have been feeling the fury and the frustration of this vile act of an independent, peaceful democratic country being invaded and having its people murdered by one of the world’s major powers,” Pink Floyd said on their official Twitter feed.

    In a press release, band leader David Gilmour said he had been moved by Khlyvnyuk’s video: “It was a powerful moment that made me want to put it to music.”  He was able to speak with Khlyvnyuk from his hospital bed in Kyiv, where the singer was recovering after being hit by shrapnel in a mortar attack, the record company said.

    “I played him a little bit of the song down the phone line and he gave me his blessing. We both hope to do something together in person in the future,” Gilmour said. 

  • Lavrov visit: Oil payment system may figure in talks

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov is likely to visit India this week amid Russia’s isolation by the West over the ongoing war against Ukraine.  The focus of the visit is expected to be discussions on a payment system for India’s procurement of oil and military hardware from Russia. 

    Lavrov’s visit comes days after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s unscheduled visit to New Delhi. It is learnt that Lavrov will arrive here after concluding a two-day visit to China. It would be the highest-level visit from Russia to India after Moscow launched its military offensive against Ukraine on February 24. There has been no official word on the visit by either side.

    India is likely to import nearly 10 million tonnes of crude oil from Russia at a discount of $20 per barrel. The state-run oil companies have committed to buy 6 million tonnes while private firms are negotiating for importing 4 million tonnes. 

    It is understood that India is working on a rupee-rouble exchange, which would allow it and Russia to carry out financial operations by bypassing the US dollar. The Centre is working on a proposal to permit five nationalised Indian banks to engage in the rouble trade.

    “It may be a diplomatic tight-rope for India as it has favourable relations with US too, but with the increase in crude price globally this is a viable option for India as it does not want to burden the consumers with a steep hike in the cost of fuel,” say sources.

    The Ministry of External Affairs, on the issue of India importing oil from Russia, had said that many European nations were still buying oil from Russia, so India wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary.

  • Oscars 2022: Oscars hold moment of silence for Ukraine

    By Associated Press

    LOS ANGELES: At the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night, attendees expressed support for Ukraine by going silent for 30 seconds.

    A tribute that started with words from the Ukrainian-born Mila Kunis ended with the Academy Awards fading to black about midway through the show, with a plea for anyone watching to do whatever possible to send help to those in the war-torn nation.

    “We’d like to have a moment of silence to show our support for the people of Ukraine currently facing invasion, conflict and prejudice within their own borders,” read the screen. “While film is an important avenue for us to express our humanity in times of conflict, the reality is millions of families in Ukraine need food, medical care, clean water and emergency services. Resources are scarce and we — collectively as a global community — can do more.”

    The tribute ended with a display of the following: “We ask you to support Ukraine in any way you are able. #StandWithUkraine.”

    Some arrived to the event wearing blue-and-gold ribbons, the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Sean Penn had also campaigned for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — a former actor — to speak at the ceremony.

  • International Emmys to bar Russian programmes from competition

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: In support of Ukraine, the executive committee of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences have announced that it will bar all programmes from Russia from this year’s International Emmy Awards competition.

    “This follows the previously announced action of suspending memberships, as well as all formal affiliations with Russia-based companies,” the organisation said in a statement released on Friday, reports ‘Variety’.

    According to the International Academy, that means any programme that meets the following criteria is ineligible and, if already submitted, will be withdrawn: “All programmes produced by and/or co-produced with Russia-based companies,” as well as “all programmes originally made for a Russian-owned channel, network, or streaming platform.”

    The org had previously released a statement on March 1 that “in support of Ukraine, the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences suspended the memberships of all Russian individuals, as well as all formal affiliations with Russia-based companies.”

    ALSO READ | Why are we indifferent to the Ukraine war?

    “Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and everyone directly affected by the independent nation’s invasion by Russia. We pray for a quick end to this tragic conflict.”

    As part of that move, Mikhail Solodovnikov, whose Russian-owned T&R Productions. runs the RT network, was removed from the International Academy’s board of directors, and his membership was suspended, reports ‘Variety’.

    Other Russian members, including RT International head of news Elizaveta Brodskaya, were also removed from the roster, according to a report at the time by Deadline. Last year, Russian-backed RT received an International Emmy nomination in the news category for “Nagorno-Karabakh War: Bloodshed And Path To Ceasefire.”

    The UK’s Sky News eventually won the Emmy, however, for “A Warning From Italy.” The representatives of the latest real-world event that has forced the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to act.

    ALSO READ | Some prominent Russians quit jobs, refuse to support Ukraine war

    Last fall, the org took back an honorary Emmy it had awarded then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo following his resignation in disgrace. This year will mark the 50th annual International Emmy Awards.

    Last year’s event, hosted by Yvonne Orji, took place on November 22 in New York. The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which operates separately from the L.A.-based Television Academy and the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, was founded in 1969 and focuses on television programming produced outside of the United States.

    The International Emmy Award is awarded to programmes in 16 categories.