MOSCOW, 23 February, 2021 (TON): India-China rivalry seems to be pushed into the Russian Far East, where Modi administration is planning significant investments in the energy and other sectors.

Russia, on the other hand is welcoming India in the area however, China is a top investor in the region.

India’s Foreign Secretary, Harsh Shringla repeated India’s deep interest in Russian Far East on his recent visit to Moscow, "We see that as a very high potential area, where we can develop new sectors and help companies looking to invest in new areas such as coking coal, timber, liquid natural gas," he said during an address to the Russian Diplomatic Academy." “There is huge potential there," he added.

During a 2019 visit to the Far Eastern port city of Vladivostok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that New Delhi would pitch in a $1 billion loan to foster the region's development. A memorandum to anchor a direct maritime corridor between Vladivostok and Chennai was also signed by him. Unlike the European sea route which takes 40 days, the new corridor will consume only 24 days.

As it is seen that India’s deepening interest follows major Chinese inroads in the region. Over the past several years, China has emerged as the Far East's primary foreign investor and trading partner. In 2019, the country accounted for over 70% percent of all direct foreign investment in the region and 28.2% of its foreign trade.