Export of buffalo meat to Russia commences, says Foreign Secretary Jaishankar

MOSCOW: The export of buffalo meat from India to Russia has commenced while the shipment of milk products is expected to begin soon.

The issue was discussed during the bilateral meeting between President Pranab Mukherjee and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said yesterday.

"Bovine meat export to Russia has commenced while export of milk products from India will begin soon," he said at a press conference here.

The decision to export buffalo meat to Russia bears significance as cow slaughter is banned in Maharashtra but there is no restriction on export of buffalo meat.

Indian Ambassador to Russia P S Raghavan said that Russia essentially approved certain Indian companies to export buffalo meat to Russia and this was part of the broader agreement for export of agri products from India.

Jaishankar also said that a regulatory framework has been set up for diamond exports while Russia has also shown interests in investments in Indian infrastructure projects and smart city projects.