Indian state of Kerala ready to cooperate with Tatarstan in four areas

Bensi George, chief operating officer of the Federation of International Chambers of Commerce and Delegations and a representative of the Kerala state government in India, proposed developing cooperation with Tatarstan in four directions. The initiative was voiced at the plenary session of the TAIM II Russia-India Forum in Kazan.

During a short visit, George said that the sides had identified specific areas for cooperation, particularly economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy and sports diplomacy. The first direction is tourism, including charter flights from Kazan to Kochi International Airport in Kerala's largest city. George said he believes tourists could be attracted by mountains, beaches, rivers and spiritual sites.

The second direction is cooperation in Ayurveda, yoga and wellness practices. The third is developing trade in spices, pepper and coffee, including cooperation with the Spice Board headquarters in Kochi. The fourth is the IT sector and academic education, including student and teacher exchange programmes.