Asian nations from BRICS, SCO interested in cooperation with Russia
Asian nations affiliated with the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) want to work with Russia in the Arctic.
Asian countries that are members of the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are interested in working with Russia in the Arctic, and their intentions are strategic, according to Nikolai Korchunov, the Russian Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large and a senior official of the Arctic Council.
Korchunov told Sputnik that "traditionally, countries of the Asian region demonstrate great interest in the development of interaction in high latitudes. These are the countries that also demonstrate outstripping rates of economic development. Many of them are members of the BRICS, the SCO."
Read more: Iran may become full SCO member in 2023
He went on to say that this interest is not opportunistic, but rather has a long-term collaboration view based on strategic considerations.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is interested in open and stable cooperation in the Arctic and believes that non-regional nations and groups must be included.