Former Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

PROTOCOL OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STATE OF GUJARAT AND THE ASTRAKHAN REGION

With a view to lend a new source of strength for consolidating the relationship between India and Russia, an Inter-Governmental Agreement on the Principles of Cooperation between the Government of the States and Union Territories of the Republic of India and the bodies of Executive authority of the Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation, was signed during

the visit of President Putin to India in October 2000. This newly envisaged interaction between the citizens of both the countries is expected to further enhance the quality and level of relationship through direct exchanges.

Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation is the first place in Russia where an Indian Merchant colony was established as early as the 1630s. An Indian Trade House was constructed with about seventy shops. Trade between India and Russia through Astrakhan was considered so important that the Russian Tsar, on 20th May, 1647, issued a decree guaranteeing personal and material safety of Indians in Russia, which was reaffirmed by Peter the Great, in 1722. According to the documents of the Astrakhan Customs of 1773, Indian merchants imported mostly silk and textiles, jewels, pearls, rice, incense and spices. Such business contacts slowly developed into a stronger relationship and Indians were assimilated into the society by way of marriages. The two-storey building that was a part of the Indian trade house still exists in Astrakhan.

In September 2000, a North-South Corridor Project Agreement was signed between India, Iran and Russia, which connects the Western Coast of India to Russia via Iran and Astrakhan. This North-South Corridor provides vast scope and has great potential for enhancing trade relations between the two countries as, when it becomes fully operational. It is certain to reduce costs in respect of time and freight.

The present agreement between Astrakhan and Gujarat envisages bringing closer not only the two regions, but also the two countries much closer, by way of enhanced trade, joint Projects and other forms of economic exchanges. Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi signed on behalf of the State of Gujarat and the Governor Mr. Anatoly Guzhvin signed on behalf of the Astrakhan Region.