Wing Commander Anjali Singh has become India’s first female military diplomat to be posted to any of the Indian missions abroad. She has joined the Indian Embassy in Russia on September 10 as the Deputy Air Attaché, the Indian Embassy in Russia said in a tweet.

17 years of military experience

“Wing Commander Anjali Singh joined @IndEmbMoscow on 10th Sep as the Deputy Air Attaché. She enjoys the distinction of being the first female Indian Armed Forces Officer to be posted as a military diplomat in any of the Indian missions abroad,” the Indian Embassy in Moscow tweeted. Wing Commander Anjali Singh is an AE(L) officer with 17 years of experience. She is trained on MiG-29 fighter aircraft, the Embassy said.

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“Indian women have made their mark overseas since the time Chonira Belliappa Muthamma became first Indian woman diplomat decades ago. She made her mark and so shall Wing Commander Anjali Singh. It’s a march forward…to Russia, with love,” said Wing Commander Anupama Joshi, in an interview with media. Wing Commander Anupama Joshi is one of the first women to join the air force in 1993.

Over 1,900 women officers, including eight fighter pilots, are serving in the Indian Air Force as on July 1, the Lok Sabha was informed in July. In a written response to a question on the total strength of women employed with the IAF, Minister of State for Defence, Sripad Yesso Naik said women fighter pilots are inducted and deployed in IAF as per strategic needs and operational requirements within the laid down policy, which is reviewed from time to time. "The strength of women officers serving in the Indian Air Force (IAF) as on July 1, 2019, is 1,905. Of these, eight are fighter pilots and 17 are navigators," he said.

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PM Modi's recent visit to Russia

PM Modi and President Putin highlighted and discussed important issues concerning India and Russia during their meeting at the 20th India-Russia Annual Summit. A few of the issues that were highlighted include both the countries’ opposition to "outside influence" in internal matters and a proposal to have a full-fledged maritime route between Chennai and Vladivostok. They also held discussions on ways to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, oil and gas, mining, nuclear energy, defence and security, air and maritime connectivity, transport infrastructure, etc. Putin also added that the India-Russia relationship is "strategic and has a special privileged nature". They also discussed the progress of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and Russia’s assistance on the Gaganyaan project. 15 agreements were signed between PM Modi and the Russian President in similar areas. 

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(With PTI inputs)