Latest news with #Indo-Russian
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘UP emerges as backbone of India's defence sector'
Lucknow: Crediting the Modi-Yogi leadership for transforming the state into a hub of military manufacturing and exports, Sarojininagar MLA Rajeshwar Singh on Sunday said that Uttar Pradesh is emerging as the backbone of India's defence sector. Sharing insights on platform X, Singh said, "From rifles to rockets, UP is forging India's defence future. Our state is now a symbol of self-reliance, innovation, and global impact." The state hosts seven ordnance factories, three HAL units, and two Indo-Russian ventures — the AK-203 rifle unit in Amethi and the BrahMos missile facility in Lucknow. Six Defence Corridor nodes, three testing beds, South Asia's largest arms complex (Adani Defence, Kanpur), and the country's first strategic materials complex (PTC Industries, Lucknow) further underline UP's strategic importance. Global players like MKU Limited and Lohia Aerospace from Kanpur export to over 100 countries, reinforcing UP's position in the international defence supply chain. Singh hailed this as a hallmark of Aatmanirbhar Bharat , saying, "Under PM Modi and CM Yogi, UP is not only securing India but also generating jobs, driving innovation, and placing the state on the global defence map."
India Today
3 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Russia emerges as top study destination for Indian medical students
The 26th Russian Education Fair 2025 was held in the country's capital at the weekend and saw great crowds of learners and parents keen to find international learning opportunities, especially medical studies. Organised by the Russian House in New Delhi in association with Rus Education, the fair was organised at the Russian House on Firoz Shah Road. The event had the participation of some of the top Russian government universities, which offered information on medical, engineering and other higher studies fair was part of a larger effort that would be conducted in nine Indian cities -- Mumbai, Trivandrum, Kolkata, New Delhi, Patna, Ahmedabad, Indore, Chandigarh and Jaipur—mirroring the growing interest of Indian students in pursuing their studies of leading Russian universities, without any exception, like Orenburg State Medical University, Perm State Medical University, BB Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University, Pskov State University and Mari State University, visited. They spoke to the students personally, offering facts on courses, admissions, facilities, hostel facilities and life in Russia. According to organisers, Russia is still one of the top choices among Indian students to pursue MBBS and other professional courses due to the low cost, medium in English, and global Elena Remizova, Director of the Russian House, underscored the significance of the fair in deepening Indo-Russian relations. "Education is one of the four pillars of Indo-Russian cooperation which is the most robust. With such events, we plan to empower Indian students and exchange academic and cultural relations," she fair also considered the general education scenario in India, where increased competition, premium prices and shortage of places in professional courses are compelling students to look beyond its greater reach and expanding partner institution list, the Russian Education Fair 2025 continues to be a significant platform that connects Indian aspirations to quality foreign future editions of the fair will extend to other capital cities, and will continue to offer students from across the country a chance to learn about educational prospects in continues to be a leading destination for Indian students pursuing medical education, with around 23,500 currently enroled in various medical universities across the country, as per the data of MEA.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
26th Russian Education Fair held in Delhi; main focus on medical education
The Russian Centre for Science and Culture, in collaboration with Rus-Education, hosted the 26th Russian Education Fair in New Delhi on Saturday. The event primarily highlighted opportunities in medical education in Russia and featured representatives from 10 leading Russian universities offering undergraduate courses in medical sciences (MBBS). The event saw representation from prominent Russian universities, including Orenburg State Medical University, Perm State Medical University, BB Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University, Pskov State University, and Mari State University, among others. Earlier this month, the Russian Education Fair was held in Mumbai, Trivandrum, Kolkata, Patna, Ahmedabad, and Indore. The fair will next be hosted in Chandigarh and then in Jaipur. Speaking at the event, Dr Elena Remizova, Director, Russian House in New Delhi, said: 'Education is one of the strongest pillars of Indo-Russian cooperation. Through initiatives like the Russian Education Fair, we aim to empower Indian students with access to world-class universities in Russia.' Delegates from these select universities interacted with students, sharing insights into the admission process, course structure, academic programs offered, along with support facilities such as infrastructure, hostel facilities, and overall student life in Russia. 'Preferred destination for Indian medical aspirants' Speaking to the the vice chancellor of Mari State University explained that there is no blanket cap on admissions for Indian students in Russian universities, unlike in several Western countries where restrictive immigration policies and admission limits are impacting international student intake. 'The Russian Federation will make every effort to accept everyone and guarantee them a decent education,' she said, while emphasising that quality assurance must go hand-in-hand with expanding access. According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the number of Indian students in Russia increased from 19,784 in 2022 to 23,503 in 2023 and further to 31,444 in 2024, reflecting a steady rise in enrolments, particularly in medical education. No cap, but quality first Responding to questions about the increasing attractiveness of Russia as an alternative destination, the vice chancellor said that while other countries are tightening their immigration and education policies, Russia is choosing a more open path. 'We are not looking at limiting the number of seats,' she noted. Instead, the Russian government and universities are actively working to increase the number of seats for Indian students, especially in medical programs. However, this expansion, she cautioned, is not without checks. 'We have to guarantee the quality of medical education that we are providing to Indian students,' she added. This is crucial because many Indian students pursuing MBBS in Russia eventually sit for India's licensing examination, which determines their eligibility to practice back home. He added that Russian universities are not only focusing on completing the curriculum but also preparing students specifically for the Indian licensing exams. She acknowledged that reducing seat availability might be an easier route, but maintaining and improving educational standards while expanding capacity is the more challenging and more important path. 'To increase the number of seats and to maintain that quality of education that the universities have a legacy of, it is a more difficult thing, and we are taking all the measures,' she said. Medical study demand The vice chancellor revealed that last year, around 34,000 Indian students travelled to Russia for higher education – the vast majority of them for medical studies. 'Ninety-nine per cent students travel for medical courses only, because for engineering and other courses there is not such demand,' she explained. This demand stems from the imbalance in India's own medical education system, where around 24-25 lakh students appear for the NEET exam every year, but only about 1 lakh MBBS seats are available across both government and private institutions. Looking ahead, Russian universities are preparing to accommodate over 40,000 Indian students in medical programs this year alone. Why Indian students prefer Russia When asked about the factors attracting Indian students to Russia, the vice chancellor pointed to a blend of historical, economic, and cultural reasons. 'The first aspect is the long-standing diplomatic relations between the two countries,' she said, noting that the first Indian student went to Russia in 1948, and the first medical student followed in 1968. This continuity, she added, has ensured that geopolitical or political disturbances have never disrupted the educational journeys of Indian students in Russia, a key concern for families when choosing a destination. Secondly, affordability is a major draw. In India, private medical education can cost over Rs 1 crore, whereas in Russian universities, the entire six-year MBBS course costs between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 45 lakh, making it far more accessible. In addition, many Russian universities have adapted their infrastructure to cater specifically to Indian students. 'There are separate hostels for Indian students, separate arrangements for boys and girls as per the requirements of the parents here,' she said. Facilities such as Indian mess, departments for cultural adaptation, and special safety protocols – including 24-hour CCTV surveillance and police patrolling make Indian students and their families feel more at ease. Lastly, the global recognition of Russian medical degrees means that graduates can pursue careers not just in India but also in countries like the US and the UK. Is there a cap on the number of students that can be admitted? When asked whether there is a fixed cap on the number of Indian students each university can admit, the vice chancellor stated that individual universities set their own intake limits based on available infrastructure and teaching staff. 'Some universities have 500 seats, some universities have 200 seats,' she said. The vice chancellor also mentioned that a new university has entered the Russian-Indian education market this year, starting with an initial intake of 100 Indian students to test its facilities and systems. 'Universities have their own set of guidelines according to which they prescribe the number of students they can take,' she concluded.
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
After seeing destruction caused by Brahmos in Pakistan, Ukraine's Zelensky urges Germany to give..., Russia can now...
India's BrahMos Missile BrahMos supersonic missile: India conducted strikes on Pakistan killing more than a hundred terrorists across multiple terror camps. With its BrahMos supersonic missile, India destroyed various strategic locations of Pakistan, which were used for anti-India purposes. However, the impact of the pure dominance that the BrahMos missile has reached beyond the boundaries of Pakistan. For a background information, readers must note that the BrahMos supersonic missile is the Indo-Russian collaboration of the P-800 Onyx missile, originally developed by Russia. The success of the Russian originated BrahMos supersonic missile during Operation Sindoor has sent Russia's war enemy, Ukraine in total shock and panic. With the fear that Russia may use the P-800 Onyx missile (the original Russian version of the BrahMos supersonic missile), Ukrainain President Volodymyr Zelensky had requested Taurus missiles from Germany—long-range missiles capable of striking targets over 500 km away from Germany. However, as per media reports, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declined the request. Among all the drama around the BrahMos missile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reportedly made a big move. Under his recent move, the minister announced that Russia is ready for peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. India's Ambassador to Russia talked about BrahMos's effectiveness during Operation Sindoor In a strong development after Operation Sindoor which further deepened the Indo-Russian defence cooperation, the Ambassador of India to Russia, said in an interview to a Russian publication the effectiveness of 'Made in India' defence equipment was decisively proven during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, Vinay Kumar, 'Our relations have even deepened recently. We not only buy and sell military equipment, but also engage in joint development and production of defence products. Equipment manufactured in India, including BrahMos (a supersonic anti-ship missile of joint Russian-Indian production), has repeatedly proven its effectiveness, including during the period from May 7 to 10. Therefore, I believe that our relations in this area will only develop,' Ambassador Vinay Kumar told Izvestia in an interview. (With inputs from agencies)
News18
28-05-2025
- Business
- News18
INS Tamal: A Symbol Of Enduring India-Russia Partnership
Last Updated: INS Tamal, the second of four Talwar-class stealth frigates acquired under a 2016 Indo-Russian agreement, is poised to bolster India's maritime posture The impending arrival of INS Tamal, India's newest BrahMos-armed stealth frigate, from Russia serves as a potent symbol of the enduring strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow. The frigate is armed with BrahMos and fitted with onboard systems built in India. Constructed at Russia's Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Tamal, alongside its sister ship INS Tushil, commissioned in December 2024, represents a significant enhancement to India's naval capabilities and also underlines the deep-rooted defence cooperation that has long defined the relationship between India and Russia. Modernising naval capabilities and self-reliance INS Tamal, the second of four Talwar-class stealth frigates acquired under a 2016 Indo-Russian agreement, is poised to bolster India's maritime posture. These frigates, classified as improved Krivak-III class vessels, also known as Project 11356, are designed for long-range, blue-water operations and are equipped with advanced features such as stealth design, anti-submarine weapons, Shtil surface-to-air missile systems, and the formidable BrahMos cruise missile. INS Tamal itself incorporates approximately 26% Indian-made components. The first ship of this batch, INS Tushil, was commissioned in December 2024 by defence minister Rajnath Singh, undertaking an extensive transcontinental journey to India. Crucially, the broader Krivak-III programme encompasses a dual-track strategy: two frigates built in Russia (INS Tushil and INS Tamal) and two, Tavasya and Triput, are to be constructed at India's Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) through technology transfer. This approach aligns with India's 'Make in India" and 'Self-Reliant India" initiatives, signifying a strategic pivot towards indigenous defence production. Looking ahead, a military-technical cooperation programme extending to 2031 has been agreed upon, suggesting a roadmap for continued collaboration, potentially including joint production of spare parts within India. The launch of the frigate Tavasya at GSL in March 2025, the second of its class manufactured entirely in India, further underscores this commitment to technological self-sufficiency. This long history of naval cooperation also extends to conventional and nuclear submarines, with India having previously leased nuclear-powered submarines, such as the Chakra, from Russia, and the transfer of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to the Indian Navy in 2014. BrahMos: A cornerstone of joint prowess The BrahMos missile system stands as a testament to the successful joint development between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, forming BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. This supersonic cruise missile, which can be launched from land, sea, air, and submarines, is a key armament of INS Tamal and other Indian Navy platforms. Initially, the missile's range was capped at 290 km due to Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions, which limit technology transfers for missiles exceeding 300 km to non-member states. However, India's entry into the MTCR in June 2016 removed these barriers, allowing for the enhancement of BrahMos's capabilities. The missile's range has since been extended to over 450 km and, in some cases, up to 800 km, significantly enhancing India's offensive capabilities and strategic deterrence against both land and naval targets. Beyond domestic deployment, the BrahMos has also found international markets, with the Philippines securing the first export order for shore-based anti-ship batteries, demonstrating the success of this Indo-Russian joint venture on a global scale. Enduring defence ties amid shifting geopolitics India's defence relations with Russia trace back almost half a century, with the Indian armed forces historically relying on Soviet-origin weapon systems. India continues to rely on a wide array of Russian-origin platforms, including T-72 and T-90 tanks, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and MiG-29K fighter jets, KA-31 helicopters, and Akula- and Kilo-class submarines. This longstanding bond has been formalised through mechanisms such as the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), established in 2000, and a Programme for Military-Technical Cooperation, which was valid until 2020. Over the years, this cooperation has evolved from a mere buyer-seller dynamic into joint research, development, and production of military platforms, with the BrahMos missile serving as a prime example of this changed approach. While the share of India's defence imports from Russia has notably decreased from 76% in 2009 to 36% in 2023, reflecting India's strategy to diversify its procurement towards Western countries, Russia remains a crucial partner for India's existing military arsenal. Despite global geopolitical shifts, including the Ukraine conflict, which has reportedly led to delays in the delivery of some systems like the S-400 missile defence system and spare parts, India continues to rely on a wide array of Russian-origin platforms, including tanks, fighter jets, helicopters, and submarines. Economic ties have surged, with bilateral trade reaching a record high of USD 65.7 billion in fiscal year 2023-24, up 33% year-on-year, and nearly 5.5 times higher than the pre-Covid pandemic trade of USD 10.1 billion. A pragmatic partnership for India's strategic autonomy top videos View all The induction of INS Tamal into the Indian Navy, alongside ongoing broader defence collaborations, underscores India's pragmatic foreign policy and commitment to strategic autonomy. While navigating complex global dynamics and calls from the West to reduce ties with Moscow, New Delhi has maintained its crucial relationship with Russia, acknowledging its enduring role as a key security and economic partner. This partnership is an active, evolving engagement that continues to serve India's strategic interests in maintaining a robust defence posture and asserting its position as a decisive maritime force in the 21st century. The arrival of INS Tamal symbolises a continuing and essential aspect of India's defence strategy, reinforcing its capabilities while demonstrating a balanced approach to its foreign policy. First Published: May 28, 2025, 07:30 IST
