NSR is an opportunity for India to increase sales of shipbuilding products, says Chekunkov
Indian and Russian Ministers have discussed the prospects for using the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in managing shipment of bilateral trade such as coking coal, oil, LNG and fertilizers.
“We discussed the development of maritime communications between our countries, as well as the prospects for using the Northern Sea Route. This dynamic of contacts is the foundation for further strengthening our partnership,” the Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, A.O. Chekunkov, said on 13 Sept 2023.
“Cooperation with 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 said following a meeting with visiting Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
Highlighting the role of other alternative routes for exploring trade and commerce opportunities between the two countries, Sonowal said, “India is keen to collaborate a partnership regarding the development of the Northern Sea route, recognising the potential it holds for enhanced connectivity and trade.”
Elaborated Chekunkov, “We agree with your conclusions that the potential cargo base of the line will be coking coal, oil, LNG and fertilizers. In the Far East, this product range is present in sufficient quantities, and in the east of India, the infrastructure to receive it is being built up.
“Taking into account the specialization of the Far Eastern ports, the project should be implemented in an expanded geographical scope, including other regions in addition to Primorye, primarily the Khabarovsk Territory.
“The NSR is a global transport project. Its development can provide economic benefits to both Russia and non-regional states. For India, this is an opportunity to increase sales of shipbuilding products and gain income from participation in the general logistics business in northern latitudes.
“We are ready to visit Chennai this October on a business mission and, with the participation of leading Russian exporters, to develop mutually beneficial solutions with the Indian side for the launch of the above lines.”
During the meeting, it was also decided that India and Russia agreed to train of Indian seafarers in Polar and Arctic waters at the Russian Maritime Training Institute, named after GI Admiral Nevelsky, which is equipped with simulator training facilities, in Vladivostok. Fiinews.com
