Gujarat & Russia Enhance Ties: Trade & Cooperation

Ahmedabad, May 20 (PTI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Russia's Astrakhan Governor Igor Babushkin on Wednesday agreed to accelerate mutual cooperation in trade, education, and shipbuilding during a virtual meeting.

"The Chief Minister also expressed Gujarat's readiness to cooperate in transport and logistics as part of the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). He further highlighted the opportunities available in the state's shipbuilding sector," according to an official statement.

The two regions had signed a protocol cooperation agreement in 2001 that remains in effect until November 6, 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had signed memorandums of understanding for cooperation in sectors including oil and gas, shipbuilding, food industries, fisheries, medicines, and pharmaceuticals when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2003.


Agreements were also signed for cooperation in human resource development, education, and cultural exchange. These agreements were also discussed during the virtual meeting, stated the release.

During a virtual meeting last February with the External Affairs Minister of the Astrakhan region, discussions were held regarding investments in Astrakhan's Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and the signing of MoUs between Astrakhan universities and Gujarat's agricultural, energy, and medical universities.

Additionally, both sides had expressed commitment to exchange maritime transport-related courses with maritime universities, the release stated.

The meeting also included discussions on cultural exchange between the two regions, and invitations were extended for mutual exchange of delegations, the release further stated.