Balancing act: Military engaging with Russia, NATO simultaneously

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7

In what seems like India balancing its strategic ties between Russia and the US-led NATO allies, two separate sets of military activities are taking place within 200 km of each other on the Indian territory. The Navy today welcomed two Russian navy warships, including a missile cruiser, at its base at Kochi, Kerala. Only 200 km road away, east of Kochi is Sulur, in Tamil Nadu, where the Indian Air Force, had yesterday kicked off a multi-nation air exercise that has air assets of India, Germany, France, UK and Spain.

The Navy’s Southern Command headquartered at Kochi said Russian naval ships Varyag and Marshal Shaposhnikov were accorded a warm welcome. Russian Capt Anatoly Velichko called on Rear Admiral Upal Kundu at Kochi. “The visit underscores strong maritime cooperation and partnership between both navies,” he said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s Telegram channel used for communication with the media, said the Varyag was a missile cruiser and Marshal Shaposhnikov was classified as a frigate. Both ships are of the Russian Pacific Fleet, headquartered at Vladivostok in the Russian far east.

Last week, Indian Navy’s frontline warship INS Tabar visited St Petersburg in Russia to participate in the 328th Russian Navy Day Parade celebrations. At Sulur yesterday, IAF Vice-Chief Air Marshal AP Singh welcomed German Air Force Commander Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz and French and Spanish fighter jets in a spectacular aerial rendezvous, kicking off the exercise named ‘Tarang Shakti’. Air Marshal Singh was flying a Tejas jet.