In what could open new doors towards development, Russia is keen to invest in areas like oil and gas, tourism, power and infrastructure development in Assam. Russian ambassador to India, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, disclosed this to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at a meeting attended by senior officials of the Government of Russian Federation and the Assam Government at Gogoi's official residence here today, a press release stated. Trubnikov, during the meeting, said that his country wants to develop close ties with the North East part of India and help the region in the process of development. "We want to be partners with the governments of North Eastern States and help in the development process,' he said. Terming the security scenario in the North East region particularly Assam as conducive for investment, the Russian ambassador said, " The threat perception in Assam and other parts of the region is not as made out to be in the print and electronic media. The impression of insecurity here is exaggerated.' " It is more safer that Mumbai and that is why at the directive of our President Vladimir Putin, we have come here to help in the endeavour to take Assam towards the path of progress and development and bring it closer to the Russian society,' he pointed out. The Russian ambassador said that it would be his endeavour to bring in Russian tourists to this part of the country, which hitherto is unknown to them. "I would try my best to ensure Russian tourists in this part of the country,' he stated. Alexander A Chinyaev, chief representative of SISTEMA in India, the largest joint stock financial corporation, said that the corporation has the largest chain of companies under its roof and has evinced keen interest to start business in the NE in areas like oil and gas, infrastructure development, telecom and tourism. He went on to inform that SISTEMA has many investments plan on the anvil for the country, including the NE. Gogoi, meanwhile, has urged the Russian ambassador to explore sectors like food processing, medicinal plants, bio-fuel and agriculture where the State has huge potential. The Russian ambassador was accompanied by a host of other senior officials of Russia.