INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia said Tuesday it was holding joint naval exercises with India in the Bay of Bengal, as the two countries bolster security ties despite
Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.The United States has in the past voiced concern about India holding joint drills with Russia, which has
been trying to expand its influence in the region."The purpose of the exercise is to comprehensively develop and strengthen naval
cooperation between Russia and India," Moscow's Defense Ministry said.The drills will help the two navies "jointly counter global threats
and ensure the safety of civilian shipping in the Asia-Pacific region," Moscow added.They are planned to last until Wednesday and will
involve ships from Russia's Pacific Fleet, including the Admiral Tributs anti-submarine destroyer, it said.India has economic and security
interests in both Russia and the West and has tried to strike a careful balancing act between the two sides, despite the conflict.It has not
joined Western countries in sanctioning Moscow over the offensive in Ukraine and has benefited from a steep discount in Russian oil
