India, Russia interested in joint oil and gas projects in Far East, Arctic - Lavrov

MOSCOW. Aug 21 (Interfax) - Moscow and New Delhi are interested in joint hydrocarbon production projects, including those to be implemented in Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.

"We have achieved good results in cooperation in the area of hydrocarbons, Russian oil supply to the Indian market. We have a mutual interest in implementing joint energy production projects, including those in Russia, in the Far East and on the Arctic shelf," Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow on Thursday, following negotiations with his Indian counterpart.

"On the whole, the economic foundation of our highly privileged strategic partnership has been strengthening in a gradual and sustainable manner," he said.

"We welcome progress in the implementation of the North-South international transport corridor project - we have common interests with Indian friends. We have agreed to encourage this work. [...] There are plans to organize and increase cargo transportation by the Northern Sea Route and many other things," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to visit India by the end of this year, Lavrov said. "We are planning to draft a substantial package of documents by that summit," he said.

"We also welcome good traditions in military cooperation, joint exercises and military-technical cooperation that has solid historical roots," Lavrov said.