India, Russia moving confidently to achieve USD 100 billion trade target by 2030: Ambassador
Moscow (PTI): India and Russia are moving confidently to achieve a target of USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and steps are being taken to expand the trade basket, Ambassador Vinay Kumar said on Monday.
"The past year has been particularly active. We had a very successful visit of President (Vladimir) Putin. Achieving the bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030 is eminently possible,” Ambassador Kumar said while talking to PTI on India’s 77th Republic Day.
“Steps are being taken, including identification of new items, and a free trade agreement will facilitate the achievement of this target," he added, noting that trade has increased with new opportunities in fertilisers, agriculture and engineering.
According to reports, in FY 2024–25, India-Russia bilateral trade reached a record high of approximately USD 68.7 billion due to massive import of Russian crude.
"More of the trade is being conducted already in the national currencies and this trend will continue as we further deepen trade and economic ties,” the ambassador said.
Earlier, addressing the Indian community which gathered in large numbers at the embassy compound on the 77th Republic Day, Ambassador Kumar underscored the “active and result-oriented” phase in the bilateral relations between New Delhi and Moscow.
During Putin’s visit to New Delhi last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence that the USD 100 billion bilateral trade target between India and Russia will be achieved ahead of 2030.
Speaking at the India-Russia Business Forum, along with Russian President Putin, Modi invited Russian businesses to 'come and Make In India...and partner with India'.
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Unruly scenes witnessed in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh (PTI): The Punjab Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira made an allegedly objectionable remark against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an intense argument over the alleged use of mobile phone in the house by the legislator.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, Mann accused Khaira of using a mobile phone when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution on the revision of wages.
After rising from his seat, the chief minister pointed to the speaker, claiming that Khaira is busy on his mobile phone and urged him to ask the Congress MLA what Sandhwan had said about the resolution.
The speaker then asked Khaira to maintain order in the house and listen to the resolution carefully.
Mann then asked Khaira, "Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone)," which led to a strong verbal altercation during which the opposition MLA hurled an accusation against the chief minister. Meanwhile, the speaker appealed for order and insisted that the chair be addressed.
However, both Mann and Khaira continued arguing and could be seen pointing fingers at each other as the proceedings of the house were disrupted.
The AAP MLAs also rose from their seats with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira for his conduct and demanded action against him.
Cheema further alleged that Khaira "always tries to disturb the house" as he spoke about his conduct in the assembly.
The incident occurred as an official resolution on the revision of wages was presented at the special session by Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond who said it paid homage to labourers on the International Workers' Day.
"Workers are the axis of construction of the nation, the community, the state and society. Every construction project succeeds only through their blood and sweat," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, "The base rate of minimum wages for the working class in Punjab was last revised in the year 2012. Although the dearness allowance has continued to increase since 2012, there has been no increase in the base rate of minimum wages.
On this sacred occasion of May Day, in this special session of the legislative assembly, this house proposes to revise and increase the minimum wages of labourers and strongly recommends to the government to take a decision regarding the increase of minimum wages for workers, so that the contributions of the workers can be acknowledged." PRK
