Vishakhapatnam: Russia’s Ambassador to India, AM Kadakin, on Wednesday said that Indo-Russian ties have taken a major step forward with the induction of the nuclear submarine “Chakra” in the Indian Navy.
Addressing a distinguished gathering that included Defence Minister AKAntony, Minister of State for Defence MMPalam Raju, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma and others, Ambassador Kadakin said that it was matter of pride for him as a representative of his country to be present for the landmark defence-related induction ceremony.
Recalling the time when India’s first submarine, also called the “Chakra”, was inducted in the Indian Navy at the same spot, Ambassador Kadakin said: “Today, we are seeing the second birth of the ‘Chakra’, which is more efficient (technically) and powerful than the previous model. This shows the high level of defence cooperation between India and Russia.”
Kadakin further said that defence cooperation between Russia and India goes back several decades, and, “we take great pride in this relationship, and our defence cooperation extends to all sectors of the Indian armed forces, and this will continue.”
Kadakin said that as a friend of India, Russia supports New Delhi’s bid to emerge as a super power in its own right to face the challenges of the future. He said that defence cooperation between India and Russia is of such a high level that it is not witnessed in any other part of the world. He said that the induction of the “Chakra” was an outstanding testament to this cooperation.
Kadakin said that cooperation between India and Russia was not limited to the defence sector alone. It was cooperating in other sectors as well such as in providing a fifth-generation aircraft to the Indian Air Force, participating actively in the Brahmos missile project, or in the Kudankulam nuclear power plant project.
He claimed that bilateral relations between the two countries have progressed to a new and higher level, and added that the induction of the “Chakra” should be seen as a landmark event in the nearly 65-year-long diplomatic relationship.
He concluded by saying that the year 2012 would mark the 50th anniversary of India-Russian defence ties, and the induction of the “Chakra” is a ‘gift’ from Russia. He also complemented all those involved with the making of the nuclear submarine. (ANI)
