[While Modi has reportedly inked as many as 20 deals with Putin - and Russia, it has been publicly pronounced, would continue to remain India's most major military (or "defence") partner; Obama is slated to be the Chief Guest at the forthcoming Republic Day celebration in New Delhi - just about a month and a half away. Given the current state of relations between the two nations that Putin and Obama head, things are promising to be pretty much interesting. It remains to be seen whether Modi is going to offer a flood of concessions, most likely at the cost of Indian people, during Obama visit as a balancing act. To make sense of the invite to Obama - to comprehend whether there is a method in the seeming "madness" or it is just "madness" pure and simple, we'll, as it looks, have to wait for while.]
I/II. http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/time-not-right-for-business-as-usual-with-russia-us-to-india/18519/ US warns India over 'business as usual' with Russia as Vladimir Putin meets Narendra Modi By: PTI | Washington | December 12, 2014 7:58 pm Summary The US reemphasised that it was not the right time for 'business as usual' with Russia... Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the US and EU for their support of pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine. Reuters Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the US and EU for their support of pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine. Reuters The US today reemphasised that it was not the right time for "business as usual" with Russia, a day after India and Russia signed 20 bilateral agreements in key areas like oil, gas and defence during President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi. ***"We've seen press reporting on India concluding business, nuclear and defence deals with Russia, but not confirmation of those agreements or specifics of what those agreements would entail. Our view remains that it's not time for business as usual with Russia," US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said.*** [Emphasis added.] She also said it is not the time for the US to do business with Russia given its action in Ukraine. Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the US and EU for their support of pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine as well as for Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea earlier this year. Ahead of Putin's visit to New Delhi, the US state department last week had voiced concerns over possible bilateral agreements between India and Russia. "As we've said before, now is not the time for business as usual with Russia," the US state department spokesperson had said. "We've conveyed this, certainly, to our allies and to our partners across the world," she had said. In a boost to their "special strategic partnership", Russia yesterday agreed to build at least 12 nuclear reactors in India besides manufacturing advanced dual-use helicopters as the two countries signed 20 agreements in oil, gas, defence, investment and other key sectors. II. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/11/us-india-russia-crimea-idUSKBN0JP1AM20141211 U.S. 'troubled' that Crimean leader in India with Putin By Douglas Busvine NEW DELHI Thu Dec 11, 2014 2:39pm EST Sergey Aksyonov (C), the leader of Crimea, the former Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia, walks inside a hotel after having his lunch as Indian businessman Gul Kripalani (R) watches, in New Delhi December 11, 2014. REUTERS-Anindito Mukherjee Pro-Russian head of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov speaks during a news conference in Moscow, October 16, 2014. REUTERS-Maxim Zmeyev 1 of 2. Sergey Aksyonov (C), the leader of Crimea, the former Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia, walks inside a hotel after having his lunch as Indian businessman Gul Kripalani (R) watches, in New Delhi December 11, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Anindito Mukherjee (Reuters) - The leader of Crimea, the former Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia, visited India on Thursday as a member of President Vladimir Putin's annual summit delegation, and the United States said it found the reports troubling. India does not back Western sanctions against Russia, but the unofficial trip by Sergey Aksyonov could spoil the mood before Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts U.S. President Barack Obama for India's Republic Day festivities in January. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States was "troubled" by reports that Aksyonov may have been part of Putin's delegation and was seeking more information. "We understand that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs have said they were not officially aware of his visit or his participation in the delegation ... We are seeking further clarification on that." Psaki also referred to reports of new nuclear and defense deals between India and Russia and reiterated Washington's view that it was "not time for business as usual with Russia". Aksyonov arrived at the upscale Oberoi hotel in New Delhi accompanied by Russian diplomats to be greeted by Gul Kripalani, a Mumbai-based seafood merchant who wants to boost trade with Russia. Speaking to reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding to promote business, Aksyonov said his visit had "a private character" and he did not take apart in any official events. He tweeted separately, however, that he had come to India as "a member of the delegation under the leadership of the president of the Russian federation, Vladimir Putin". The towering 42-year-old, previously an obscure nationalist politician, was elected in a closed session of the regional parliament after Russian forces in February took control of the Crimean peninsula in a bloodless operation. He masterminded a quickfire referendum to join Russia that was recognized by Moscow. Kiev and the West say it was rigged. It was clear that his visit enjoyed Russia's full diplomatic backing, with the consul general to Mumbai and an aide to Ambassador Alexander Kadakin present at the meeting and lunch with businessmen. No Indian officials were present. CRIMEAN COMMOTION News of the event leaked out on Wednesday when the Russian embassy invited reporters to a signing ceremony only to cancel late in the evening. A spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs said he was not officially aware of the Crimean visit. It is highly unlikely, however, that such an event would have taken place without New Delhi being in the loop. Modi, addressing a joint news conference after meeting Putin, emphasized India's deep security ties with Russia. Moscow was long India's top arms supplier until the United States, which is keen to forge closer ties with New Delhi, took top spot recently. "Even if India's options have increased, Russia remains our most important defense partner," Modi told reporters. No potentially awkward questions were allowed at the tightly stage-managed event held at an old princely palace. India, which observes a policy of non-intervention, has refrained from criticizing Moscow's takeover of Crimea and support for an uprising in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 4,300 people since April. Kripalani, who said his Pijikay Group has annual turnover of about 150 million euros ($190 million), signed the memorandum on behalf of the India-Crimean Partnership - a previously unknown group that he said represented five businesses. (Additional reporting by Alexei Kalmykov in Moscow and David Brunnstrom and Lesley Woughton in Washington; Editing by Robert Birsel and Alan Crosby) -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. 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