Modi Emphasizes Close Russia-India Cooperation on ‘Connectivity’ and Infrastructure Projects

Sept. 4, 2021 (EIRNS)—During the Eastern Economic Forum plenary session in Vladivostok on Sept. 3, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of energy cooperation between India and Russia. He said it can bring stability to the global energy market, calling it a “major pillar of our strategic partnership.” He stated: “I am happy that the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor is making headway. This connectivity project, along with the International North-South [Transport] Corridor will bring India and Russia physically closer to each other.”

Modi also stated that India will help develop Russia’s Northern Sea Route and turn it into an international trade route. “India will help Russia in the development of the Northern Sea Route and opening this route for international trade the same way as Russia helps India to develop with the aim of space exploration and the preparation of the national manned Gaganyaan program. The friendship between India and Russia has stood up against the test of time,” he said. “Most recently, it was seen in our robust cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic, including in the area of vaccines. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of the health and pharma sectors in our bilateral cooperation.”

India’s Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri attended the EEF in person, and also emphasized energy cooperation with Russia and other countries. “There’s a lot of ongoing cooperative work in the sector of petroleum and natural gas [between Russia and India]. It contains tremendous potential.” Puri said other countries were also welcome to help meet the expanding energy inflows that are needed to India in the near future. “India is one country where you can’t go wrong on the demand assessment. So potentially it’s a fascinating dialogue to have,” Puri said. “India is in need of energy and energy sources are here [in Russia]. Russia and India are strategic partners in energy and nobody has a second opinion on that,” he concluded.