PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are known to share a close tie. In a recent interaction, Putin opened up on his ties with PM Modi. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized his strong ties with Asia and highlighted his friendly relations with China and India. He also spoke of his ‘warm’ friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
20 December,2024 11:34 AM IST
On December 17, Russia suffered a major blow when Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed in a bomb blast. The explosion, hidden inside an electric scooter, occurred outside his apartment in Moscow. His assistant also died in the blast. Ukraine’s intelligence agency, SBU, claimed responsibility for the attack. Kirillov was charged by Ukraine for allegedly using banned chemical weapons and had been sanctioned by several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, due to his role in the war. The blast caused shattered windows and damaged the building’s entrance. The bodies of the victims were found nearby. This killing of a high-ranking Russian officer is expected to lead to retaliation from Russia. Kirillov led the RKhBZ, special forces tasked with protecting Russian troops in extreme conditions involving chemical, biological, or radioactive threats.
18 December,2024 10:25 AM IST
The world is closely watching the political situation in Syria as rebel forces have toppled President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Amid the ongoing civil war, many migrants are stranded and facing serious dangers. In response, the Indian Government evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also set up a helpline and email for Indians still stuck in the country. On December 8, rebel groups captured Syria’s capital, Damascus, after President al-Assad fled to Russia. Russian news sources report that Assad and his family have been granted asylum in Russia on humanitarian grounds. Russia, which has two military bases in Syria, has been a key ally of Assad throughout the war.
11 December,2024 01:45 PM IST
On December 8, President Bashar al-Assad’s 50-year-old regime in Syria was overthrown by rebel forces, who took control of Damascus after Assad fled to Russia. India has expressed concern over the situation and is in contact with its citizens in Syria to ensure their safety. U.S. President Joe Biden called the fall of Assad’s regime a “fundamental act of justice.” The United Nations urged Syrians to use this moment for a peaceful future. Meanwhile, Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Russia on humanitarian grounds, as Russia has been a strong ally of Assad throughout Syria’s civil war. Russia also has key military bases in Syria.
10 December,2024 11:45 AM IST
On Saturday, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded firmly to criticism over India's purchase of Russian oil. He stated that while India does buy oil from Russia, it is not necessarily "cheap" and questioned if anyone else could offer a better deal. Jaishankar also emphasized that the global focus is shifting toward finding a solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, now in its third year. He highlighted India's efforts to engage with both Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy through talks in Moscow, Kyiv, and other locations, aiming to find common ground for a peaceful resolution when the right circumstances arise.
08 December,2024 05:33 PM IST
Amid the increasing dangers due to the Syrian civil war, MEA on Dec 06 issued a travel advisory for Syria and advised Indian nationals to avoid travel until further notice. While advising Indian nationals, MEA asked them to be in contact with the Indian Embassy in Damascus and said “leave by the earliest”. Earlier during PC, MEA spox informed that there are around 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 working in various UN Organizations. Warning from MEA comes in light of the situation prevailing in Syria, which poses significant risks to travelers. Syrian rebels made a major development on Dec 06 after they claimed to reach the key city of Homs a strategic town for President Bashar al-Assad. It was the third major city, after Aleppo and Hama in the northwest and center, to fall out of Assad's control in a week. The latest escalation in the Syrian civil war comes after years that was largely dormant for years. The conflict began in 2011, after Assad moved to stamp out peaceful pro-democracy protests during the Arab Spring.
07 December,2024 01:23 PM IST
Rebels in Syria have taken control of most of Aleppo, marking a significant setback for President Assad’s forces after a surprise offensive. The violence has caused thousands to flee, with many seeking refuge in unsafe open areas, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Curfews were imposed in Aleppo City on Friday and Saturday, and all public facilities, including schools and universities, have been suspended. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and banks and ATMs are running out of cash. On November 30, Israel carried out airstrikes on facilities in Syria used by Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on December 1 that Israel is closely monitoring developments in Syria and will defend its interests.
02 December,2024 12:30 PM IST
At the CSTO summit in Astana on November 28, Vladimir Putin warned the West that Russia’s new "Oreshnik" missile could turn anything into "dust." The threat came after Russia used the missile in an attack on Dnipro, Ukraine, and as tensions rise over Ukraine's use of US-supplied ATACMS. Putin emphasized the missile’s devastating power, including its potential nuclear capabilities, and hinted at severe retaliation if the West continues to escalate the conflict.
29 November,2024 11:37 AM IST
Amid the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Putin on Nov 21 said that Russia had launched a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile attack on a Ukrainian military facility. Issuing a direct warning to West, Putin said that Moscow could strike military installations of any country whose weapons were used against Russia.
22 November,2024 11:49 AM IST
Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, US President-Elect Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 10, the Washington Post reported. Trump advised Putin not to escalate the Ukraine war, a source familiar with the conversation told Reuters. He has criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Ukraine, vowing to end the war, without saying how. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry neither endorsed nor objected to the conversation between Trump and Putin. The conversation between the two world leaders comes after Putin congratulated, praised Trump on Nov 07.
11 November,2024 11:43 AM ISTADVERTISEMENT
