India Narrative

In a recent interview to Izvestia, the new Ambassador designate of the Russia Federation to India Denis Alipov said that India occupies a central position in Russians foreign policy priorities and that Russia was interested in India's growing influence as an independent power centre both in the world and in particular in the " Asia Pacific Region ". While the good ambassador's words are admirable, this has become a common refrain of late - not just encouraging or wishing for India''s rise as a major power, but rather acknowledging India as a power centre. On his India visit for the bilateral visit, President Vladimir Putin himself said this in Delhi: "Russia views India as a major power, whose people have been very friendly to us." And with good reason too. A cold war era joke goes that the only truly non-aligned countries then were the USA and the USSR. In the current context India may be a truly non-aligned country. It's excellent current relat

  The stage is set for the high stakes battle between the BJP, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party as Goa, Uttarakhand and parts of western Uttar Pradesh go to the polls today. While it would be single-phase polling in Goa and Uttarakhand, votes would be cast in 55 assembly constituencies spread across nine districts of western Uttar Pradesh. Even as Uttar Pradesh dominated the election scenario, all eyes are also on Goa and Uttarakhand, where BJP is locked in fierce battles to stay in power. In Goa, this is the first electoral foray for the BJP without its talisman and master strategist, former chief minister, Manohar Parrikar. This small seaside state with 40 assembly seats is locked in a multi-corner contest. Pitted against the ruling BJP is Congress and AAP and Trinamool Congress among other smaller parties. However, analysts observed that the main fight would be between BJP and Congress. If it is anti-incumbency and factionalism plaguing the ruling BJP, Congress could be hit by the divis