Representatives of Russia and India have discussed joint projects in Arctic shipbuilding, Rosatom said after the first meeting of the working group on cooperation on the North Sea Route (NSR). This is reported by Interfax.

The parties discussed targets for Russian-Indian transit cargo traffic along the North Sea Route and the possibility of training Indian sailors in polar navigation. They also discussed a draft intergovernmental memorandum of understanding on developing cooperation in maritime transportation in the North Sea Route waters.

In October, St. Petersburg will host the first meeting of the Russian-Chinese subcommission for cooperation on the North Sea Route. In August, Russia and China signed a protocol on establishing a subcommission for cooperation on the North Sea Route. The Russian side approved Rosatom's CEO as chairman of the subcommission, while the Chinese side approved their Minister of Transport.

'We already have a new level of cooperation between Russia and China on developing the North Sea Route. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China, a subcommission on the North Sea Route was established. It was decided to create 3 Russian-Chinese working groups: on navigation development, on safety and on Arctic shipbuilding. These are the main areas of focus. We invite all Russian companies to participate so they can form systematic long-term relations with China,' said Rosatom's special representative for Arctic development.

Panov also emphasised that in relations with India, Russia is 'moving from top-level contacts to working processes.' 'There's a possibility that we can complete them this year and move on to the details,' he said.

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