India Expects Vostok Oil Project With Russia's Rosneft to Be 'Game Changer'

"I would say in the current context of the geopolitical situation this is a very ambitious target, but attainable," Darbari said in an interview on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia’s Vladivostok.

"The collaboration between Indian Oil Corporation and Rosneft and the Vostok Oil project is expected to be a game changer. Ensuring stable supply of energy for India and fostering economic development for Russia. Similarly, there is a tremendous opportunity for other projects between India and the Russian Far East. In the area of oil and gas. We are very rich in terms of gas and oil," Darbari said.

India, Russia Retain Strong Partnership Despite Foreign Pressure

"[Indian] Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi, [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin have a wonderful chemistry. And India and Russia have time-tested relationships. And we have been very strong to each other in terms of partnerships in good times and bad times. You know the recent oil requirement. Russia was very keen because of the geopolitical situation. And India came to the rescue and took a very tough stand in spite of the pressure from various quarters," Darbari said.

Darbari insisted that India was pursuing an independent foreign policy, as evidenced by Modi's visit to Russia in July and negotiations with Putin.

"But at the same time, he also went to Ukraine, Poland and Ukraine. So that shows that what is important is that he is the Messiah of Peace," Darbari said.

BRICS Potential Rising Over Years, Becoming Value Driver

"BRICS is an emerging platform, it has shown its value in terms of augmenting and increasing the engagement levels between the BRICS nations … People are not just coming for any political reason. It is the value which this platform drives. And because of this the BRICS platform is emerging and becoming more potent and vibrant over the years," Darbari said.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday that Turkey had officially applied for full membership of BRICS. The Russian official said BRICS was unlikely to accept any new members at the Kazan summit in October after the member states agreed to introduce a new status of a BRICS partner state.

India, Russia Digital Technology Exchange Can Boost Transformation

"Russians are very scientific in terms of production processes. Our engineers need to learn that. And you have the advantage of integrating the emerging technologies with various production processes. They can be a very good exchange of, you know, digital transformation on both sides," Darbari said.

Digital trade between India and Russia rose by 20% in the past year, highlighting the sector's potential.

India, Russia Sign Kamchatka Promotion Deal With Tremendous Tourism Potential

The Indian and Russian chambers of commerce have signed an agreement to promote tourism in Russia’s Kamchatka Krai, Tribhuvan Darbari shared with Sputnik.

"Next is tourism. What I feel is, Russia has a wonderful opportunity. Yesterday, I was with the president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Kamchatka Region. He showed me a video. We had a discussion. That region has such great potential. I was shaken. It was an eye-opener for me. And I have signed an agreement with the president of the Chamber of Commerce for promotion of tourism between India and this region, which has tremendous potential," Darbari said in an interview on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia's Vladivostok.

The official noted that India, as one of the largest film producers, saw a great potential for film production in Kamchatka, such as unique landscapes.

"You see, Indian cinema, they have been going to places like Switzerland, Austria for various shooting. You know, the Bollywood. India, the bedrock of our relationship, the cultural people-to-people contact. Raj Kapoor. Jimmy Jimmy. You remember? So whether it's the earlier generation or the current generation, the youth, they all get charged with this. We need to reignite this passion. And get regions like Kamchatka, where Indian cinema can come in a big way for making of producing films. It will offer a very unique landscape," Darbari said.

Bollywood's arrival in Russia could also promote commerce and create jobs, he said.

"The film industry, Bollywood, is one of the biggest film industries in the world. And if it comes into Russia, why doesn't it come to Russia? It should come. There is tremendous popularity and this can be a game changer," Darbari explained.