Top-13 of 2013

Kudankulam goes ‘critical’ – what next?

The commissioning of the KNPP and the probable arrival of the Vikramaditya would give ballast to the sail of the Russian-Indian relationship by the time the next bilateral annual summit takes place.

Three cheers for India’s FTA with Customs Union

An FTA with the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus will mean preferential access for India’s exports. God willing, it will do a world of good for trade with Russia.

The man who stopped World War III and sacrificed his career

Exactly 30 years ago, when early warning systems indicated the Soviet Union was under nuclear attack by the United States, air defence officer Stanislav Petrov went by gut instinct and decided the alarm was false. It was a decision that saved the human race – and ended his career.

With the MiG-29 on steroids, who needs the Rafale

With the air defence MiG-29s being upgraded to an advanced multirole aircraft, the Indian Air Force could save more than $10 billion by scratching the Rafale.

Did Netaji escape to the Soviet Union?

Subhas Chandra Bose knew that it was unlikely for him to be welcomed in the USSR, but even surrendering to the Soviet side, which was not interested in taking him to a tribunal, was preferable to facing British wrath.

Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death in Tashkent still raises questions

October 2 is the 109th birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, a man who was considered the epitome of honesty, openness and integrity in the world of politics. The second Indian prime minister died in Tashkent in 1966 and mystery still surrounds his death.

BRICS no economic has-been

Russian analysts believe that predictions about the sunset of BRICS as a driving force in the global economy are premature.

The Russian economy: 22 years after modernization

The Russian economy now has an opportunity to harness the unique heritage of the communist empire with modern ideas and solutions.

Russian women tread the path of caution and wisdom to feel safe in India

Increasing incidents of violence against women and children in India, including in relatively safe Mumbai, leave many resident Russians concerned.

Russian log houses as panacea from the Indian heat

Though uncommon for India, wooden construction is slowly becoming a high-end trend among Indian ecology lovers. Russian wood has all chances to capture the emerging market.

The joy of travelling platskart on a Russian train

If JSC Russian Railways has its way, the most basic and economic form of train travel will become a thing of the past. This would signal the end of an era in railway travel in the country.

Idiosyncrasies and characters in day to day Russian life

Some foreigners get so used to certain typical Russian situations and people that life never feels the same without them.

Nelson Mandela and the USSR: The Russian role in the struggle against apartheid

As the world mourns the death of the great statesman, RIR looks at his long-established relations with Russia and the Soviet Union, which played a major role in fighting the apartheid regime in South Africa.

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