New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Eastern Economic Forum on Friday where he emphasised the importance of bilateral ties between India and Russia
India will be a reliable partner of Moscow in realising its vision in developing the country's Far East region, he said, as reported by news agency ANI.
Beginning his speech, PM Modi thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin: "I am delighted to address Eastern Economic Forum and thank President Vladimir Putin for this honour."
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PM Modi talked about cooperation between India and Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic
"The friendship between India and Russia has stood the test of time. Most recently, it was seen in our robust cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the area of vaccines. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of health and pharma sectors in our bilateral cooperation," he said.
The Prime Minister recalled his 2019 visit to Vladivostok and lauded Putin's vision for the development of the Russian Far East.
"In Indian history and civilization, 'sangam' has a special meaning. It means confluence or coming together of rivers, people and ideas. In my view, Vladivostok is truly a 'sangam' of Eurasia and Pacific," he said.
During his 2019 visit to the Far Eastern port city of Vladivostok, PM Modi had announced that India would provide a USD 1 billion loan to aid the region's economic development.
A memorandum was also signed to establish a direct maritime corridor between Chennai and Vladivostok.
"I applaud President Putin's vision for the development of the Russian Far East. India will be a reliable partner for Russia in realising this vision. In 2019, when I had visited Vladivostok to attend the forum, I had announced India's commitment to enact Far East Policy," PM Modi said.
During his brief address, PM Modi also revealed that India's biggest shipyards will partner with Zvezda for the construction of some of the most important commercial ships in the world.
"Today I'm delighted that one of India's biggest shipyards, Mazagon docks limited will partner with Zvezda for the construction of some of the most important commercial ships in the world," he announced.
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Stressing the importance of the bilateral relationship, Prime Minister Modi said that the India-Russia energy partnership can help bring stability to the global energy market.
"India-Russia energy partnership can help bring stability to the global energy market. My Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Puri is in Vladivostok to represent India at this forum," he said.
"India has a talented and dedicated workforce, while the Far East is rich in resources. So, there is tremendous scope for Indian talent to contribute to the development of the Russian Far East," he added.
Meanwhile, PM Modi has extended an invite to the Governors of 11 regions of the Russian Far East to visit India.
Before this, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla had met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other senior officials in Moscow earlier this year.
During his visit, the Foreign Secretary had informed that one of the primary aims of his trip was to discuss bolstering economic cooperation in the Russian Far East.