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India’s growing friendship with Russia and Central Asia making China uneasy

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India’s growing partnership with the Central Asian countries and the unbroken camaraderie with Russia – highly visible during Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi in December – could irk China a lot, feel some of Moscow’s top strategic experts.

The last 12 months have seen New Delhi tightening its bond with the landlocked regions of Eurasia, especially after the turbulence in Afghanistan.

The territory is also the Kremlin’s traditional foreign policy priority and forming Greater Eurasian partnership is part of Putin’s initiative.

As reported by IndiaNarrative.com, a few days before his visit to the Indian capital, Putin had regarded India as one of the strong independent “centres of a multipolar world” with a foreign policy philosophy and priorities “that are close to us”.

The Central Asian countries followed the Russian leader by underlining the civilisational, cultural, trade and people-to-people linkages between India and their countries during the third meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue on December 19.

While the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries called India their strategic partner, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised that they remain India’s “extended neighbours” and all possible efforts should be made to strengthen comprehensive cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and South Asia, in which India is ready to provide the maximum assistance.

The events, not surprisingly, are enough to make Beijing uncomfortable, reckon experts.

In an interview with Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Russian defence analyst Ruslan Pukhov, who is also the Director of the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said that the intensification of India’s diplomatic efforts and its interaction with Russia in Central Asia would certainly not please Beijing.

“After all, poor countries are forced to agree to loans from China on any terms, even at the risk of being in debt. And now the PRC appears to have a competitor,” said Pukhov.

The defence expert reckoned that while the “ambitions of India” may cause “some inconvenience” to Russia as well, Delhi does not want to weaken Moscow’s position at all.

“But the Central Asian regimes, depending on Moscow economically and militarily, now have room for manoeuvre. They can bargain with us,” he added.

However, sources tell IndiaNarrative.com that India’s engagement with the region will happen keeping the Russian interests in mind.

With New Delhi and Moscow having pledged extensive military-technical cooperation until 2030, both will be working together on having a joint manufacturing of military equipment in Central Asia, which would benefit all partners.

Also, unlike China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), New Delhi’s efforts on having an inter-connected Eurasia through the development of Chabahar port in Iran and also enhancing connectivity with the landlocked region via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), highlight India’s internationalism – that of always seeing the world as a family.

While Beijing makes inroads into several Central Asian nations through BRI, members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have become increasingly uncomfortable with the growing Chinese presence through various infrastructure projects.

India, on the other hand, has always stressed that connectivity projects to build modern arteries of commerce must adhere to the most basic principle of international relations – respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations rank foremost among them. It is also important that connectivity building is a participative and consensual exercise, based on financial viability and local ownership. They must not serve other agendas,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said last October while addressing the 6th Ministerial meeting of the Conference of Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) at Kazakhstan capital Nur-Sultan.

In a fast-changing geopolitical scene, countries like Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan have appreciated India’s role in sustainable and stable development of the region.

The visit of Heads of State from these countries as special guests on the Republic Day later this month could also mark a new high at the start of 2022 – the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian States.

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Mumbai Police Reach Kapil Sharma’s House After Kap’s Cafe Firing In Canada

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Hours after shots were fired at comedian Kapil Sharma’s eatery, Kap’s Cafe, in Canada, the Mumbai Police on Friday reached his house in Mumbai to question him about the incident. Around 1 am on July 9 (Canada time), several rounds were fired at the cafe, located in Surrey.

Khalistani terrorist Harjeet Singh Laddi claimed the responsibility for the attack, and demanded an apology from Kapil for his alleged objectionable remarks.

the attackers felt that Nihang Sikhs were insulted on Kapil’s show. The report also mentioned that the attackers said the comedian ignored their calls seeking an apology, and that shots were fired at his eatery to warn him.

Kap’s Cafe team issues statement

Kapil is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The management of the eatery, however, took to their social media handles and wrote, “We opened Kap’s Cafe with hopes of bringing warmth, community, and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversation. To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock but we are not giving up (sic).”

It further stated, “Your kind words, prayers, and memories shared via DM mean more than you know. This cafe exists because of your belief in what we’re building together. Let’s stand firm against violence and ensure Kap’s Cafe remains a place of warmth and community. From all of us at Kap’s Cafe, thank you and see you soon, under better skies (sic).”

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Iran warns it will target Israel’s ‘secret nuclear sites’ if attacked

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Tehran, June 10: Iran’s top security body warned that its armed forces would immediately target Israel’s “secret nuclear facilities” if the Islamic Republic comes under military attack, following claims it has obtained “sensitive Israeli intelligence.”

The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued the statement days after Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib said Iran had acquired a “significant cache” of Israeli documents through intelligence operations, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the council, months of intelligence gathering had enabled Iran’s armed forces to identify high-value Israeli targets for potential retaliatory strikes, should Israel initiate military action against Iranian interests.

“This forms part of a broader strategic initiative aimed at countering disinformation by hostile actors and reinforcing Iran’s deterrent capabilities,” the SNSC said.

Tehran’s access to Israeli intelligence would allow it to swiftly target “concealed nuclear sites” in the event of an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, the council said, adding that the information also supports proportionate retaliation against attacks on Iran’s economic or military assets.

Israel is believed by many to possess nuclear weapons, though it has never officially confirmed or denied this, maintaining a longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity.

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‘True spirit of friendship’ between India and Iran hailed after rescue of kidnapped citizens

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Tehran, June 4: India on Wednesday thanked the Iranian government for its swift and effective efforts in securing the release of three kidnapped Indian citizens, emphasising that the timely support reflects “true spirit of friendship” that exists between the two nations.

“The three kidnapped Indian citizens have been safely rescued and are now under the care of the Embassy of India, which is facilitating their early repatriation. We sincerely thank the Government of Iran for their swift and effective efforts in securing their release,” the Embassy of India in Iran posted on X.

“Your support reflects the true spirit of friendship between two nations,” it added.

Late Tuesday, the Embassy of Iran in India confirmed that Tehran police had freed the missing individuals, citing a report from Media.

“Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran police. Local media in Iran say police have found and released three Indian men who had gone missing in Iran,” the Iranian Embassy stated.

The trio was reportedly rescued following a police operation targetting the hostage-takers in Varamin in south Tehran, Media reported.

According to reports, the three Indian men – all hailing from Punjab and identified as Jaspal Singh, Hushanpreet Singh, and Amritpal Singh – had disappeared shortly after landing in Tehran on May 1.

They were reportedly on their way to Australia after being promised lucrative jobs by a local travel company.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran had issued a statement on May 28, following an approach by the family members of the missing men, who expressed serious concern over their relatives’ sudden disappearance.

The statement read, “Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured. We are also keeping the family members regularly updated on the efforts being made by the Embassy.”

Reports also suggested that the families received ransom demands of Rs one crore from unknown individuals, with the threatening calls originating from Pakistani phone numbers.

The details raised serious alarm, prompting swift diplomatic engagement from both sides.

The Iranian Embassy in India, responding to the developments, stated that the case was being closely followed by the Consular Affairs Department of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Embassy also issued a warning to Indian citizens, advising them “not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorised individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries.”

India has also previously issued travel advisories for its nationals travelling to Iran, urging them to exercise caution, remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and consulates, and avoid engagement with unverified travel agents or intermediaries.

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