RF welcomes India`s investments in hydrocarbon sector-ambassador.

NEW DELHI, December 17 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia welcomes India's
investments into its projects in the hydrocarbon sector, Russian
ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin said on Friday.
"India has shown interest to Russian projects in the area of
hydrocarbon production. We welcome India's investments into any Russian
projects, including in this area," he said and reminded of India's
successful participation in the Sakhalin-1 project.
According to the Russian diplomat, issues of Russian-Indian
cooperation in the energy sector will be discussed during Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev's oncoming visit to India on December 20 through
22.
Earlier, while staying in Moscow India's Minister of State for
Petroleum and Natural Gas Jitin Prasada told journalists that Indian
state-run oil and gas corporation ONGC was in talks on its possible
participation in the development of Russia's Trebs and Titov deposits.
Apart from it, he said, India is interested in participation in the
Sakhalin-3 project.
India's authorities hope that Russian companies will take part in the
ninth bidding round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-IX). As many
as 34 exploration blocks are on offer for bidding in the NELP-IX Licensing
Round, including eight in deep water, seven in shallow water and 19
onshore, with the total area of 88,800 square kilometres.
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