India considers Ukraine as an important partner in Central Europe and is ready to develop new fields of a mutually fruitful cooperation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Ukraine Manoj Kumar Bharti has said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.

"India considers Ukraine as an important partner in Central Europe. Ukraine has a lot to offer to India. India already has a substantial cooperation in the defense sector of Ukraine. India is the largest export destination for sunflower oil from Ukraine. However, there are a few new potential areas of expanded cooperation between our two countries," he said.

The ambassador, in particular, noted the prospects for a mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of construction, development of infrastructure projects, agriculture, automotive industry, medicine, in-bound tourism and education in Ukraine.

In addition, Bharti stressed the importance of cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals.

"Almost any important and lifesaving drug that Ukraine buys, it can save huge amount of money by importing from India. I understand that if Ukraine imports $100 worth of such drugs from India, it is saving at least $200 because these drugs will cost minimum $300 if imported from European or other sources. Indian pharmaceutical products are known worldwide for their high quality and reasonable price," the official stressed.

"Before these products get registration in Ukraine, your GMP inspection visit the manufacturing units in India. The products are tested by Ukrainian laboratories," he added

According to Bharti, currently Ukrainian companies can participate in the development of projects, in particular, those carried out within the framework of the Make in India state program or a project to develop 100 smart cities by 2030.

"If Ukrainian companies are involved in housing project in South America, they should also consider the immense potential that exists in India. I was at Electrontrans in Lviv a week ago and I encouraged them to take part in the 100 smart city project," the ambassador said.

Bharti also noted there is a significant demand for leguminous crops in India.

"There are new products which have great potential of export from Ukraine to India. India imports huge amount of beans. Last year 500,000 tonnes of one kind of bean was imported from Canada. There are at least 13 kinds of beans that Indians use extensively. Farmers in Ukraine should look at the possibility of exporting beans to India," he stated.

The ambassador also said that nearly 6,100 Indian students are currently studying in Ukraine.

"If the current system of admission through agents and recruiting agencies is changed so that Indian students can apply on-line and get admission smoothly without going through the agents and middlemen, I believe more than 20,000 Indian students may like to study in the excellent education and research facilities in Ukraine," he said.