President Putin Signs New Doctrine: Russia Prioritizes Cooperation With India, Highlights Development Of Relations With Iran To Iraq

Illustration of President Putin inspecting troops on Russian Navy Day. (Wikimedia Commons/Mil.ru)

JAKARTA - Russia is eyeing the development of cooperation with Iran, Iraq to Saudi Arabia, as well as other countries in the region, when President Vladimir Putin signed the new doctrine of the country's Navy.

President Putin signed the new doctrine on the sidelines of the Navy Day commemoration held in St. Petersburg on Sunday, a number was mentioned in it.

After inspecting the troops, President Putin signed a new doctrine before addressing his sailors.

Russia's priority is to develop strategic and naval cooperation with India as well as wider cooperation with Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the region, according to the doctrine.

"Guided by this doctrine, the Russian Federation will resolutely and resolutely defend its national interests in the world's oceans, and possess sufficient maritime power to ensure their security and protection," the document said.

The doctrine also establishes the Arctic Ocean, which the United States has repeatedly said Russia is trying to militarize, as a region of great importance to Russia.

Russia's vast 37,650 km (23,400 mi) coastline, known to stretch from the Sea of Japan to the White Sea, also includes the Black and Caspian Seas.

The new 55-page naval doctrine, which sets out Russia's broad naval strategic goals, including its ambition as a "great maritime power" extends across the globe.

The main threat to Russia, the doctrine says, is the "strategic policy of the US to dominate the world's oceans" and the movement of the NATO military alliance closer to Russia's borders.

Russia can use its military might appropriately for the situation in the world's oceans if other soft powers, such as diplomatic and economic tools, are exhausted, the doctrine says, acknowledging that Russia does not have sufficient naval bases globally.