Russia, India to begin Strategic Economic Dialogue this year - ambassador to Russia

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Moscow and New Delhi plan to launch the high-level Strategic Economic Dialogue between the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and the National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, later this year, Indian Ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran told TASS. He noted that an agreement on launching the Strategic Economic Dialogue between the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and the National Institution for Transforming India had been reached at a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May. "Presently we are working on the format and agenda. If all preparatory work is completed, then the dialogue will be held before the next summit, most likely in St. Petersburg," Saran said. According to the ambassador, within the framework of this dialogue, the parties will discuss "economic policy priorities of both countries, macro-economic issues, strategic priorities for bilateral cooperation, including agriculture, finance, infrastructure, small and medium business." "We hope that the Indian side will be headed by Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar," he noted, adding that the Russian side is expected to be headed by Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin. Read more