MOSCOW, August 13 (HS/RIA Novosti) - India will become the first official partner country of the Russian Energy Week in 2026, the Russian government said on Thursday.

India is poised to become the first ever official partner country of the Russian Energy Week International Forum, the statement read.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who chairs the forum's organizing committee, described India as an important energy partner.

The partnership between the two countries is strategically important, and the line of communication between their leaders is open. Mutually beneficial cooperation in oil and gas projects is moving full steam ahead, he said.

The Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry will represent India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with an exhibition stand at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall and Gostiny Dvor in Moscow from October 14-16, showcasing projects of eight major Indian oil companies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar