Keen to strengthen ties with Russian Far East, says PM Modi

New Delhi, September 7

Despite the continuing western pressure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spelt out India’s keenness to expand trade, connectivity and investments with Russia.

Reiterates stand on Ukraine conflict

From the beginning, we have emphasised the need to adopt diplomacy and dialogue. In this regard, we welcome the recent consensus on the safe export of cereals and fertilisers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Eastern Economic Forum

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“India is keen to strengthen its partnership with Russia on Arctic subjects. There is immense scope for cooperation in the field of energy. Along with energy, India has also made significant investments in the Russian Far East in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diamonds,” said the Prime Minister while speaking virtually at the 7th Eastern Economic Forum being held in Vladivostok which was also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia, he said, could become an important partner for the Indian steel industry through the supply of coking coal.

India has already offered Russia a $1 billion line of credit for developing infrastructure in the Far East.

“We can also have good cooperation in the mobility of talent. Indian talent has contributed to the development of many resource-rich regions of the world. I believe that the talent and professionalism of Indians can bring about rapid development in the Russian Far East,” suggested the PM. In fact, if the Ukraine conflict had not intervened, India was poised to send 2,000 skilled workers in April to work in Russian shipyards and for timber logging operations.

“Whether we talk about the International North-South Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor or the Northern Sea Route, connectivity will play an important role in the development of our relations in future,” he observed.

The PM’s unequivocal call to continue and strengthen economic ties with Moscow comes amidst continuing efforts by the US and the European Union to wean India away from Russian oil. In this regard, US Deputy Secretary for Treasury Wally Adeyemo was here a few days back and discussed the energy markets with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Foreign Secretary Vijay Kwatra.

The Prime Minister briefly touched on the Ukraine conflict which along with the Covid pandemic, he said, has had a major impact on global supply chains. “Foodgrain, fertiliser and fuel shortages are of great concern to developing countries. From the very beginning of the Ukraine conflict, we have emphasised the need to adopt the path of diplomacy and dialogue. We support all peaceful efforts to end this conflict,” he observed.

Pitching for deeper ties with US too: EAM

NEW DELHI: While India strikes a parallel economic relationship with Russia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made the case for stronger collaboration between India and the US at the India Ideas Summit organised by the US-India Business Council here.

Jaishankar listed several emerging areas where there can be effective collaboration between the two sides. —TNS

Govt focus on investment & connectivity

• Immense scope for cooperation in the field of energy
• Russia can become key partner for Indian steel industry
• India has already offered $1 bn line of credit for infra in Far East
• Indian talent can bring rapid development in Russian Far East
• Connectivity to play big role in development of relations