<p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">NEW DELHI:PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday further backed economic cooperation with Russia as he told President Vladimir Putin that India is keen to strengthen its partnership with Russia on Arctic issues and that there's "immense potential" for cooperation in the field of energy.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Modi was participating virtually in the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum, which promotes development in the remote Russian Far East, when he made the remarks before Putin.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The PM also reiterated India's support for all peaceful efforts to end the Ukraine conflict saying shortages of foodgrains, fertilisers and fuels are a major concern for developing countries.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Modi said the Ukraine conflict and the Covid pandemic have had a major impact on global supply chains while recalling that, since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, India has stressed the need to take the path of diplomacy and dialogue. </span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"We support all peaceful efforts to end this conflict. In this regard, we also welcome the recent agreement concerning the safe export of cereals and fertilisers,’’ he said, referring to the recent Russia-Ukraine grain and fertilisers agreement.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Modi will meet Putin and come face to face with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week in Uzbekistan at the SCO summit, amid G7 efforts to impose a cap on the price of Russian oil, although it’s not clear yet if he will have a structured bilateral meeting with either of the two leaders. </span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Both India, which has ramped up crude imports from Russia, and China have not condemned Russia for its military action in Ukraine and have so far not seemed keen on supporting the proposed price cap.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"India's ancient doctrine Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has taught us to see the world as a family. In today's globalised world, events in one part of the world create an impact on the whole world,’’ said Modi in his address.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">While underlining the significance of India’s cooperation with the Russian Far East, Modi said India's Act East Policy policy had become a key pillar of the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"Along with energy, India has also made significant investments in the Russian Far East in the areas of pharma and diamonds,’’ said Modi, adding Russia can become an important partner for the Indian steel industry through the supply of coking coal.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"We can also have good cooperation in the mobility of talent. Indian talent has contributed to the development of many developed regions of the world. I believe that the talent and professionalism of Indians can bring about rapid development in the Russian Far East,’’ he said, adding connectivity through initiatives like the International North-South Corridor, Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor and Northern Sea Route will play an important role in the development of bilateral relations.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Addressing the same forum in 2021, Modi had said India-Russia cooperation in energy can help bring stability to the global energy market. Unlike last year though, India didn’t send a minister to the forum and was represented on this occasion by its ambassador to Russia, Pavan Kapoor. Source: The Times Of India</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">bnbd24/kh</span></p>