Putin proposes to unite Northern Sea Route, Chinese Maritime Silk Road

Speaking at second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to unite the Northern Sea Route and the Chinese Maritime Silk Road. He said uniting them will create a global and competitive route connecting north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern Asia with Europe.

Beijing:Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday proposed to unite the Northern Sea Route and the Chinese Maritime Silk Road with an aim to create a global route connecting East Asia with Europe.

Speaking at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRFIC) in Beijing on Saturday, Putin said, "We are considering the possibility of uniting it (Northern Sea Route) with the Chinese Sea Silk Road, thereby creating a global and competitive route connecting north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern Asia with Europe."

The Northern Sea Route is Russia's main Arctic shipping path, the shortest maritime passage between the Far East and the European part of the country.

The Russian President invited the countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiate (BRI) to join the large-scale project, reported Sputnik.

China is hosting a three-day Belt and Road forum attended by 37 heads of state or government, including Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The forum was boycotted by India for the second consecutive time.

The forum aims to provide a platform to the countries participating in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for exchanging views and experiences on regional connectivity, policy synergy, socio-economic development and trade, and commerce.

The BRI is a development strategy adopted by the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in countries of Europe, Asia, and Arica.