Modi visits Russia, discusses use of corridor through Iran

Ahmedabad, July 5 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a six-day visit to Russia discussed with the Astrakhan Governor using of the Rail-Road North-South Cargo Container Corridor through Iran.

Mr Modi, who reached Astrakhan with a 16-member business delegation on Monday, had a one-to-one discussion with Astrakhan Governor Alexander Zhilkin and other senior leaders over using the corridor as the shortest land route between India and Russian states and Eastern Europe.

He held a detailed discussion over the issue with the Deputy Governor and offered to provide Gujarat ports as the gateway for ships touching Iran ports for cargo traffic to Europe, an official press release said here today.

They discussed mutual co-operation in petroleum exploration and production, ship building, petro-chemicals, pharmaceutical, gems and jewellery, construction industry, dairy, tourism and other areas.

Mr Modi invited Astakhan leaders to visit Gujarat during the Navratri festival in September and Kite Festival Vibrant Gujarat Investors Summit in January 2007.

The delegation also visited Olya Port on River Volga, Central Cargo Port, Indian Trade House, Astore Trade Centre, Carone Confectionary Industries, State University, Technical University and Gas Petroleum Processing Plant (GasProm).

The delegation is scheduled to leave for Moscow on Wednesday, during which they will debate and discuss exploration of joint ventures and business opportunities between Indian Business Community and Chamber of Commer-Industries of Moscow.

Earlier, Mr Modi, along with the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, had made successful visit of Astrakhan and Moscow in November 2001. Astrakhan's former Governor A Guzvin's visited Gujarat in March 2003.

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