Vladimir Putin, present Prime Minister of Russia

People elect their leader and the world watches, it happens in US and Russia. When Obama became the President of America, the kind of promises and pledge he had taken, it looked he is not becoming the president of America, but the President of the World.

Though Putin and other candidates for President of Russia did not make any such statements, but who will become the president keeps lots of importance. Some analysts even said that the fate of middle east, particularly Iran and Syria, remains on the presidential election of Russia.

While Russian people are going out to vote at this time of the day, the enthusiasm which they had in the past few elections wasn't as strong this time, knowing they can't change anything even though they possess the power of selecting their leader. And the reason is very simple: no alternative to Vladimir Putin.

Candidate Document, taken by Eka for TWR

Western media was successful in showing the world how Russians on the street of Moscow protested and rallied against the come back of Vladimir Putin, but they failed to showcase the "major half" of the Russians who were demonstrating their support for Vladimir Putin in public. Anatoly Karlin, an Analyst on Russia says "it’s undeniable that the pro-Putin Meeting enjoyed substantially higher attendance than the Bolotnaya one – at least half as much again, and probably double or even triple." [Read: Far More People Protested FOR Putin Than Against, But You Wouldn’t Know It From The Western Media].

It is not a coincidence that most of my Russian friends admire Putin, while we, sitting in India or America, see the other picture on news. It is true that Russians do not have any other choice, but it is also true that most of them do not want any other choice except Putin.

Putin keeps a strong image of himself, as a person who takes interest in various things. Don't get surprised if you see him flying Sukhoi, playing Piano, singing, or in fighting ring. Many Russians believe he has the ability to bring the change required and he has the ability to bring back the glory which was lost after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Editor of Power & Politics world, and our close friend Gabriela Ionita describes Putin's possible come back as Batman's Return in her recent article, as it was US diplomats who, back in November 2008, cruelly dubbed Putin as Batman and Medvedev as his Robin. In her article she analyzes the polls and predicts the winner of the elections. [Read: The Batman′s return – The light battle for the Kremlin]

According to latest figures from Russian News Agency RIA Novosty, Putin secures 63.71% after 99.5% of Ballots counted. This means a big victory for him.

What Putin's Come Back means to the World?

Putin's come back means a troubled time for the western world, not because he is a threat to them, but is indeed a threat to their growing aspiration of spanning entire Europe and Central Asia under their influence. Putin had never digested the presence of NATO in the former Soviet States and will not allow the possibility of America installing missile shield in East Europe.

Russia, which had maintained a low profile after the collapse of Soviet Union, was seen much more active in recent years in the new geopolitics developments in the world. This is a clear indication that Russia is working to gain back its lost status, and is set to drive the world towards multi-polarity from uni-polarity. This means, in future, it won't be so easy for the western world to wage war against countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.

American President Barack Obama with Vladimir Putin

Also, in an article, determined to help Europe in financial crisis, he suggested European Union should be made Union of Europe and there should be free trade from Lisbon to Vladivostok. In the article, Vladimir Putin looked like dictating terms to EU as he continues, "We will strive to ensure a new world order, one that meets current geopolitical realities, and one that develops smoothly and without unnecessary upheaval.  Russia proposes moving toward the creation of a common economic and human space from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean – a community referred by Russian experts as “the Union of Europe,” which will strengthen Russia’s potential and position in its economic pivot toward the new Asia."

Recently Putin has declared an extensive re-arming of Russia's military. He said, "Russia must be strong and self reliant to repel the outside pressure; if a country is weak than other countries would come to advice you what to do to gain their interests."

Citing the importance of regaining the military might, he also stressed on advancement of already stable Russian economy. Increasing standards of living and economic growth was another main point in his speech. He aims at becoming the top 5 economy in the world and making the gross Domestic Product (GDP) (per capita) reach more than $35,000, that is more than what France and Italy has now. [Read: Russia Ready for an Extensive Re-Arming]

Seeing Russia's aggressive diplomacy on Syria and Iran, there is more to see when Vladimir Putin arrives in Kremlin.

What Putin's Comeback Means to India?

Vladimir Putin's return to Kremlin means restored ties with India. During Medvedev's time, India had disappointed Russia many times and till today it continues to do so, as India seemed going western way. On the international platform, India voted many times in the favor of west on many issues like Iran, Libya, Syria.

While present Indian government doesn't look like taking interest in India's relations with Russia, it is the same congress in whose time the seeds of Indo-Soviet relations were sown. During NDA government period also, India and Russia enjoyed good relations.

Putin understands the importance of India and proposes a trilateral cooperation of Russia, China and India on various international issues. Last month in February, 2012, Vladimir Putin said Russia has closer defence ties with India than with any other country, including China.

“As far as joint [defence] projects are concerned, we have advanced farther with India than with any other country, including China,” Mr. Putin said, citing the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, the Akula class nuclear submarine leased to India, the multi-role transport aircraft and the fifth-generation fighter plane.

“It is now clear that we will have the fifth-generation aircraft. Two or even three planes are already up in the air, and more planes will join them this year. Technological problems have all been solved; it is quite obvious that we’ll make the aircraft and make it quite fast. We needed a partner to bring down the final cost of the plane; they [Indians] will buy it in large numbers. The T-50 is shaping to be superior to the American fifth-generation plane.”

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Vladimir Putin
© RIA Novosti. Alexey Nikolskiy

Putin was responding to a suggestion from a defence analyst to “engage actively” with India, China, Iran and other countries, and to pursue issue-specific alliances to uphold Russia’s security interests. “We’re engaging India full thrust, we’re in fact doing it all as you say,” replied Putin. [Read: We’re engaging India full thrust: Putin]

In December, in a meeting with Putin, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wished him success in Elections. "I wish you success in Russian presidential elections in March next year. Let me congratulate the people of Russia on the successful State Duma elections and the victory of United Russia." 

It is clear that after America's elections which attracts most of the world's attention, it is Russian elections which draws attentions of intellectuals around the world. It is already believed by most of the analysts that Vladimir chances of coming to Kremlin is almost concrete. Before signing off We also wish him success or rather say congratulate him. Good Luck Vladimir Putin!

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