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Union Minister for Shipping Ports and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal has said that India will focus on developing and ensuring seamless maritime trade in the eastern maritime corridor with Russia.
Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the Indo -Russia workshop on operationalisation of the maritime corridor at Chennai today, the Minister said that India is competent enough to handle any kind of challenges. He said that necessary infrastructure has been developed in the Country. Mr.Sonowal said that India is taking maximum efforts to achieve trade and security in the route. He said that all concerned ministries are taking several initiatives towards the efforts of the Government in facilitating the corridor. He said that this provided a lot of scope to India and will help to tide over conflict situations.
Speaking to the media, Anatoly Bobrakov, the Deputy Minister for development of the Russian Far East and Arctic said that Russia was focussed on the maritime routes as it is more sustainable. He said that the President of Russia has implemented the plan of development of the Northern Sea route from Russia till 2035. He said that the cargo traffic this year was 36 million tonnes which was a new record. He said that the goal is to reach 220 million tonnes in 2035. He said that the aim is to operationalise the northern sea route.
Sunil Paliwal, the Chairman of Chennai Port Trust said that a team from the shipping ministry had visited the coal industry sites in Russia when it was cold season. He said that the Country had defrosting chambers to enable export. He said that there were gaps of information in certain places and the aim of this workshop was to sort it out. He said that the corridor will be developed in the far east of Russia and the eastern part of India. He also said that the container terminals in Russia are located in the western side of the Country. He said that presently coal from Russia is being imported to India through Paradip, Vizag and also in private ports. He said that the India -Russia forum which is held every September will be held as and when required.