In a significant interagency consultation held in New Delhi on Monday, India and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation within the parameters of their long-standing Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, and Nikolai Patrushev, Russian Federation Presidential Aide and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board, co-chaired the meeting.
The consultations, which thoroughly examined current frameworks and investigated potential possibilities for cooperation across the maritime domain, included senior officials and specialists from both countries. The strategic importance both nations place on enhancing maritime connectivity and logistics to achieve more general economic and security objectives was reflected in the discussions.
A wide range of topics were discussed at the summit, including maritime logistics, port modernisation, and shipbuilding collaboration. In order to develop a competent maritime workforce, both parties also looked into the possibility of joint ventures in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, the sharing of technological know-how, and reciprocal training programs.
The discussions emphasised the Arctic’s increasing significance for international commerce and resource development. Building on their common scientific and technical capabilities, India and Russia reiterated their desire to increase cooperation in Arctic activities. In the Northern Sea Route, where Russia has vast operating experience, this provides chances for cooperative research, navigation assistance, and sustainable infrastructure development.
The delegations recognised the importance of strong political leadership from President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in keeping with their larger strategic cooperation. The significance of promoting resilient supply chains, marine connectivity, and sustainable use of ocean resources has been underlined by both presidents on numerous occasions.
These principles are reflected in the current discussion, guaranteeing that the maritime industry continues to be a pillar of bilateral cooperation.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways reports that both parties were pleased with how the discussions turned out. The meetings were characterised as pragmatic, outcome-oriented, and forward-looking, and they strengthened the roadmap for increasing collaboration not only in trade and transportation but also in scientific research and industrial development.
The discussion ended with a mutual commitment to create a strong, effective, and long-lasting maritime alliance that would benefit both countries in the long run.
India and Russia hope to establish a model of maritime cooperation that improves regional and global connections by utilising their respective capabilities in engineering, logistics, and infrastructure.
