Moscow [Russia], August 13 (ANI): President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said there is growing interest among Russia's 'partner' countries, including India, in engaging with the Northern Sea Route (NSR), amid Western sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. He said India is among the key countries showing growing interest in cooperation on the Arctic shipping route.

While addressing a meeting with Pacific Fleet personnel aboard the missile cruiser Varyag, Putin further warned of rising 'artificial tensions' in the Arctic, inferring the activities of external actors, including (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) NATO expansion.

He, however, stressed that the cooperation on the NSR front remains within an 'international maritime law' framework and that Russia has always voiced its readiness to leverage advantages of the Northern Sea Route.

'Although Russia has consistently voiced, and continues to reaffirm, its readiness to cooperate and leverage the advantages of the Northern Sea Route, strictly within the bounds of existing international maritime law. We see growing interest from countries wishing to engage with us on this front. These partners include, above all, our friends China, India, and other nations who are actively discussing these matters with us,' Putin said.

'India is one of the key countries showing growing interest in cooperation on the Northern Sea Route. He further warns of rising artificial tensions in the Arctic as interest in the Northern Sea Route grows, while stressing that cooperation remains within international maritime law,' he added.

Earlier, Putin warned that Moscow would respond 'in kind' if European nations confiscate Russian merchant ships, amidst escalating pressure from the European Union targeting the nation's so-called shadow fleet.

According to a report by Russia's state-run TASS news agency, Putin asserted that any impounding of Russian vessels would constitute 'piracy and banditry'.

'And if this is actually put into practice, we will be forced to respond in kind,' Putin was quoted as saying.

The Russian president further cautioned that any retaliatory action by Moscow would not be restricted exclusively to the maritime zones where Russian vessels might be detained.

'It will happen wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate,' TASS quoted the Russian president as saying.

These remarks follow intensified efforts by the EU aimed at curbing Russia's shadow fleet, a designation applied to ships suspected of facilitating the circumvention of Western sanctions, including restrictions imposed on crude oil exports.

The European bloc has broadened its sanctions regime to encompass hundreds of vessels, with certain European states detaining ships and crews for inspection. Additionally, several governments have signalled that they are deliberating stricter maritime enforcement protocols against ships suspected of evading sanctions. (ANI)