European governments have stepped up diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine, encouraged by Russian President Vladimir Putin's assurance that his country has no intention to annexe the Crimean peninsula or to wage a war against its neighbour.
Vladimir Putin climbed into a three-seat submersible craft on Tuesday to check out an ancient sunken ship found recently in the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea.
With Pakyong now usable by AN-32s, the Indian Army can quickly move soldiers, weapons and supplies to this highly sensitive sector, which includes flashpoints like Doklam, Nathu La and the Siliguri Corridor.
The BrahMos systems for the two ships are estimated to cost Rs 25 billion, making it the world's most expensive anti-ship missile.
Russian authorities on Wednesday resumed search operation for 10 missing sailors, including four Indians.
10 Things You Didn't Know About Manikarnika, Rani of Jhansi.
'Florence Nightingale made her mark serving wounded soldiers in a war.' 'This is our time to serve in another health crisis.'
A special United Nations envoy to Crimea, who was threatened by 10 to 15 armed men, is safe and will return to Ukrainian capital Kiev to continue his mission, the United Nations has said.
The US has slapped additional tough sanctions on Russia's financial services and energy sectors for the failure of Moscow to taken enough steps to address the volatile political situation in Ukraine.
'Should the Congress take Jyotiraditya's departure as good riddance?', asks Mohammad Sajjad.
'While high-level interventions may help smoothen inter-State relationships, they cannot fundamentally change the alchemy of such relationships, which are firmly rooted in mutual benefits and mutual interests,' points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
As the threat of a showdown between Russia and the West over Ukraine loomed large, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has deplored Moscow's military build up on the Crimean peninsula and called on President Vladimir Putin to respect the country's territorial integrity.
