Delegation of Embassy of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation headed by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Pankaj Saran visited Astrakhan region

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation Pankaj Saran accompanied by representatives of the Embassy and the Indian business came to Astrakhan region.
The first visit to Astrakhan of the new Ambassador of India to Russia was arranged to meet with the leaders of the region and discuss possibilities of enhancing bilateral trade-economic and humanitarian cooperation.
During the meeting with the Governor of Astrakhan region Alexander Zhilkin some topical issues of cooperation were discussed and first of all the resumption of freight traffic through the “North-South” international transport corridor. This issue is under the special control of the Government of India and, according to the Ambassador, ITC “North-South” is soon to become an effective mechanism of Russian-Indian cooperation. In May this year, India and Iran have signed bilateral agreements to develop the port of Chabahar which is to become a major hub for the further development of transport corridor Chabahar-Zahedan-Zaranj. This fact opens up new prospects for revitalization of ITC “North-South”.
The following initiatives as to create a logistics hub of Indian investors and the Indian pharmaceutical industry in the region were also discussed by the Parties.
The Ambassador assured the Governor that the Government of India seeks to increase Russian-Indian trade turnover, which is currently very low.
Ambassador also announced the idea to establish the post of the Honorary Consul of India in the city of Astrakhan. He also stressed that Astrakhan region and India have always been tightly bound by ties of sincere friendship. Therefore, the Embassy of India in Russia pays a visit to the region to get an additional impetus for further cooperation.
Indian delegation visit will last until September 28, 2016.