Russia snubs India, postpones defence minister's visit to New Delhi

With the changing world equation, the dynamics of India-Russia and Russia-Pakistan are showing perceptible change. The Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov postponed his scheduled visit to New Delhi ostensibly because he was called by the Russian President Vladimir Putin for an urgent function. However, the most likely reason is seen as the visit of Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who will be in Moscow on October 5. Because of this the visit of the Russian defence minister to India has been rescheduled to October 10.

As India has decided to not put all its apples in one basket and has started exploring more foreign vendors besides Russia, Moscow is also exploring other market options.

While in Moscow there are many things high on the agenda of General Kayani. He will be seeking the Kremlin’s approval for three crucial projects: creation of an engine overhaul facility in Kamra for the 84.4kN-thrust Klimov RD-93, whuch powers the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) JF-17 ‘Thunder’ Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA), another overhaul workshop for the 12  RD & PE Zvezda JSC-built UPAZ-1 aerial refuelling pods in service with the Pakistan Air Force's four IL-78MKP Multi-role transport aircraft, continued product-support for the four IL-78MKPs; and most importantly, the export approval for 132kN-thrust AL-31FN turbofans required for powering the initial 40 FC-20 (36-single-seat and four tandem-seat) Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft that the PAF wants to procure from China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corp (which is also producing the JF-17).

Here is the statement issued by the Indian Defence Ministry-

"The meeting of the India-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) which was to be held tomorrow has been deferred due to the inability of the Russian Co-Chair of the Commission and the Defence Minister Mr. Serdyukov to travel to India as scheduled.  It has been conveyed by the Russian side that the Russian Defence Minister was required to stay in Russia for his urgent participation in a programme of the Russian President.

The IRIGC-MTC meeting will now be held on 10th October, which is an annual meeting at the level of Defence Ministers of the two countries."

We will continue to hold Siachen: Army Chief

New Delhi, September 19: Dismissing the peace overtures of his Pakistani counterpart General Ashfaq Kayani, Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh on Wednesday said that India will continue holding Siachen Glacier as it continues to be strategically important for the country.

Defence Minister AK Antony and Army Chief General Bikram Singh during a visit to J-K

The Army Chief also dismissed idea of any change in the force’s stance vis-à-vis the Glacier –became a point of contention between the two arch-rivals India and Pakistan after Indian Army’s Operation Meghdoot in 1984. Since then the Glacier has earned many monikers like the “Highest Battlefield” and “Frozen Frontier”. “We have not changed (stand on Siachen Glacier). It (Siachen Glacier) is very important. We must continue to hold that area, that is very important,” the General replied in response to a query if there was a change in the Army’s stand following Pakistan Army Chief’s suggestion about withdrawal of troops from the region and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s personal suggestion about turning Siachen Glacier into a peace park.

“We have lost lot of lives there, blood has been shed there. These tops are of strategic importance for us….We have conveyed our concern to the government,” General Singh added.

Siachen War Memorial

It was 28 years ago on April 13 that India started an operation on the world’s highest and unforgiving battleground – the Siachen Glacier – and it is continuing still at the cost of lives of 950 Indian soldiers and an annual spending of around Rs. 730 crore.

The death of 130 Pakistani soldiers in Siachen Glacier following a massive avalanche has brought back the focus to the highest battleground in the world where more lives have been claimed by weather than by bullet.

The total number of deaths on the Indian side of the 72 km-long Glacier since 1984, when Indian troops captured the dominating heights in the region, has been 950 whereas 12,000 soldiers have suffered injury. The number declined considerably following a ceasefire between the two countries in 2003.