KAZAN, October 16. /TASS/. India is interested in an exchange of experience in the provision of utilities services in large cities with Russia, Jeysundhar Deviprasadh, the Consul General of India in Kazan, said, addressing the business forum "TIME: Russia - India. Mutual Efficiency" in Kazan.

"India offers its own approach to how to provide utilities services on a scale that is much or even ten times higher than in Kazan. Such cooperation would benefit both sides, for each of them makes its own contribution and can teach the other something useful and share its experience," he said at the session titled, "Russia - India: From Municipal Dialogue to Joint Tourism Projects."

Both sides have something to learn from each other, the consul general noted. "Kazan and other Russian cities [boast of] reliability, independence from harsh weather conditions, especially in winter, when temperatures fall to -30, uninterrupted hot water and gas supplies, and regular maintenance, including waste disposal and waste management," he explained.

According to him, the challenges facing cities are universal. "These primarily include vital infrastructure for people: water and fuel supplies. The other part [involving] solid and liquid waste removal is much more challenging. These problems are typical of not only India and Russia but also across the globe," he emphasized.

Kazan is hosting the second business forum "TIME: Russia - India. Mutual Efficiency" on October 14-17 on the premises of the Center of Unique Craftsmanship. The business program includes sessions across such key topics as investment and innovation, logistics, industrial production, international cooperation, the social environment, education, agriculture, medicine, business, media, culture, sports, and tourism. Among other participants, Indian federal government officials and representatives of Indian administrative divisions are attending. Also, the Indian ambassador to Russia is taking part. TASS is the event’s general media partner.