New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu held a meeting with Dmitry Kobylkin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Russian Federation, where the two sides discussed issues of mutual cooperation in areas of common concern, including conservation of environment, saving the tiger, water cooperation and environmental sustainability.

Mr Prabhu is in Vladivostok, Russia, to attend the Far Eastern Economic Forum being held from September 11–13.



During the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Yury Trutnev, the Commerce Minister discussed issues of mutual cooperation in sectors like mining and geological exploration in gold and diamond, water cooperation, forestry, timber and agriculture.



Mr Prabhu met with the Governors, Vice-Governors and representatives of regions of the Far-East: Primorye, Yakutia, Sakhalin, Amur, Magadan, Kamchatka, and Khabarovsk.

Discussions were held on possibilities of mutual co-operation in sectors like mining, agriculture and tourism.

Possibilities of co-operation between India's states and Russia's regions were also discussed. The Commerce Minister invited Regional Governors of the Far East to visit India with business delegations in order to explore areas of co-operation.



Mr Prabhu also participated in a session on “Timber in the Far East-Increasing Industry’s Economic Return”. He spoke about strengthening economic ties and forging new partnerships between India and Russia at a reception organised by “Delovaya Russia” (Business Russia).

About his interaction Mr Kobylkin, Mr Prabhu said in a tweet, 'Discussed issues of mutual cooperation in areas of conservation of environment, including the tiger and elephant population, water cooperation & environmental sustainability.'

Mr Prabhu met Mr Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and Mr Aysen Nikolaev, Governor of Sakha Republic.

'Had positive discussions on enhancing the bilateral trade and investment between India and Russia with Mr Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and Mr Aysen Nikolaev, Governor of Sakha Republic. We will work together to achieve this,' he said in another tweet.



Mr Prabhu apprised them of the various business and investment opportunities in India and its initiatives to facilitate the same through 'Invest India'. He also invited them to lead business delegations from Russian regions to India and explore the partnership with the Indian businesses.

New initiatives from the Russian Federation and changing neighbourhood dynamics have increased the need for India to evaluate the opportunities available in the Far East of Russia.



India was the first country to establish a resident consulate in Vladivostok in 1992. However, India’s existing engagement with the region is limited to isolated pockets.

In order to bolster the trade ties it is imperative that connectivity between India and Vladivostok have to be simplified, affordable and time efficient. Ease of connectivity will not only provide access to the resource rich, unexplored Far East but will also strengthen India’s geo-political stature, according to a statement here on Tuesday.

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