Visiting Russian Minister of Trade and Industry, Denis Manturov, said on Monday that Bharat and Russia are deliberating on a free trade agreement (FTA), a move which could enhance commercial relations between the two nations.

The talks between the two countries on a possible FTA are likely to further accelerate economic relations between both the nations, despite Europe and America urging Bharat to distance itself from Russia due to the latter’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

Bharat’s imports from Russia have grown more than four times to $46.33 billion over the last fiscal, mainly due to oil purchases from that country.

“We pay special attention to the issues of mutual access of production to the markets of our countries,” Manturov said during an industry event.

He added that along with the Eurasian Economic Commission, Russia is looking forward to fast-track negotiations on a free trade agreement with Bharat.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who was also present at the event, said that the Covid-19 pandemic had disrupted discussions on an FTA between the two countries, but expressed hope that talks will resume on it soon.

(The story has been published via a syndicated feed with minor edits to conform to HinduPost style-guide.)