St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday discussed developing bilateral cooperation in the economy, culture and education.
Beglov said St. Petersburg’s partnership with India has been steadily developing in many areas.
“Over the [first] 9 months of 2023, mutual trade turnover tripled to $5.27 billion. The growth was caused by a significant increase in supplies of mineral fertilizers from Russia. Now the Republic of India ranks second among the Northern capital's trade partners,” the statement said.
Beglov mentioned shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment manufacturing, light and food industries among the promising areas for expanding co-operation. A project to launch direct flights from St. Petersburg to New Delhi and Mumbai is also being worked out.
The governor noted that relations between Russia and India have always been of a friendly nature.
"Thanks to the course of the leaders of our countries, who are in favour of a multipolar world, Russia and India have reached a high level of trust and cooperation," he said.
The St. Petersburg-India Festival is planned to be held in 2024 as part of cultural co-operation. Beglov also suggested organising exhibitions dedicated to Indian culture in St. Petersburg's venues.