NEW DELHI, March 20. /TASS/. Moscow is open to productive cooperation in the Arctic with non-regional states, and expects New Delhi to actively participate in the Arctic Council as an observer, said Director of Foreign Ministry's Department of European Affairs Vladislav Maslennikov.
"We look forward to India's active involvement in the activities of the Arctic Council as an observer state," he said in a video message to the participants of the Northern Forum-India scientific conference, which is being held in New Delhi.
The diplomat stated that "Russia remains open to collaborative cooperation in the Arctic with interested non-regional states."
"Together with the relevant Russian agencies and the Rosatom State Corporation, we intend to continue developing cooperation with the Indian partners in the Far North," Maslennikov said. According to him, one of the most promising areas of cooperation is the development of the transport and logistics potential of the Northern Sea Route, which is of growing interest around the world. Also, cooperation between scientists and experts from the two countries is needed.
Maslennikov also emphasized that participation of Indian delegates in the upcoming sixth international forum Arctic: Territory of Dialogue will bolster ties between the two countries in the Arctic.
The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue forum, organized by the Roscongress Foundation, will be held in Murmansk on March 26 and 27. The forum includes meetings of the commissions of Russia’s State Council in the areas of the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic, Efficient Transport System, and International Cooperation and Export.