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India Looks To Russian Coal To Lessen Dependence On US, Canada & Australia

India looks to Russian coal to lessen dependence on US, Canada & Australia. India and Russia are in talks to source coking coal in Russia’s Far East, as New Delhi is seeking to diversify from its traditional suppliers such as the US, Canada and Australia.

In 10 years, the South Asian country is expected to need twice more coal than it consumes today, the head of Far East Russia Investment and Export Agency Leonid Petukhov said, after a meeting with Indian businessmen in New Delhi. During the visit the official also met with Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan to discuss the possible shipments.

“India is interested in joint projects with Russia to develop coking coal and is going to increase exports of this fuel from Russia,” he said, adding that the agency is assisting both Russian and Indian companies in this.

India imports more than 50 million tons of coking coal, which is a key element for steel production, and is seeking to diversify the sources of the material. However, the share of Russian coal supplies to India is quite low, and stands around 1 percent, according to Petukhov.

Indian steel and energy companies reportedly want to import up to 9 million tons of the raw material from Russia annually. However, Indian partners ask Russia to develop inland as well as port logistics and rail connectivity in the Far East to facilitate the growth of supplies. They also want Russian firms to consider concessions and preferential terms for Indian companies.

source: infobrics