At talks on widening maritime cooperation, India and Russia on Wednesday additionally mentioned the potential of exploring new transport corridors just like the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) between Vladivostok and Chennai and either side additionally agreed that Indian seafarers shall be educated on Polar and Arctic waters on the Russian Maritime Training Institute in Vladivostok, which is supplied with simulators.
The Indian aspect was led by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal and Russia by the Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic A.O. Chekunkov. The meet was held on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum underway within the far-Eastern metropolis of Vladivostok. He additionally visited the historic Vladivostok port.
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“India Russia Joint Maritime Commission to facilitate constructive discussion on various issues regarding development of the NSR,” Mr. Sonowal stated in an announcement issued by the Ministry. He stated that India is eager to collaborate on a partnership relating to the event of the NSR recognising the potential it holds for enhanced connectivity and commerce.
Strategic cooperation
“We remain committed to maintaining strong ties and fostering strategic cooperation across various sectors,” Mr. Sonowal stated talking at a gathering held on the Pavilion of Kamchatka Territory “Far East Street”. He stated the Indian staff visited the ports of Vladivostok, Vostochny, Nakhodka and Kozmino in May, 2023, which helped acquire “insights” and the collaborations solid throughout visits to those ports contributed to “understanding of requirements” for the “full-scale operationalisation” of the EMC.
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“Our proposed workshop in Chennai will discuss the operationalisation of the EMC, and we envision involving pertinent stakeholders who trade and transport commodities such as coking coal, oil, and liquefied natural gas along this corridor,” he acknowledged. The Minister additionally introduced that an invite has been prolonged to Russia to take part within the upcoming Global Maritime India Summit 2023.
Mr. Chekunkov stated, “Cooperation with the Republic of India is one of the priorities of the international activities of our Ministry; we intend to develop relations with Indian partners in the Far East in all areas of mutual interest.”
He stated the potential cargo base for the alternate routes shall be coking coal, oil, LNG and fertilizers that are current in adequate portions within the Far East. Taking into consideration the specialization of the Far Eastern ports, the undertaking needs to be carried out with an expanded geographical scope, together with different areas along with Primorye, primarily the Khabarovsk Territory, Mr. Chekunkov added.
Source: www.thehindu.com
