Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday departed for Vlivostok, Russia, where he will be on a two-day visit on September 4 and 5, 2019, during which he will attend 5th Eastern Ecomic Forum as a Chief Guest. Prime Minister has been invited by President of Russian Federation, Vlimir Putin, and will also take part in 20th India-Russia annual summit with him.

two-fold objective of visit

This visit will be first by an Indian PM to Far East Region of Russia, highlighted Narendra Modi in his departure statement. PM also underlined desire on both India’s and Russia’s side to diversify and furr strengn bonds of ir robust bilateral relations. He stated two-fold objectives of his visit- one is to participate at Eastern Ecomic Forum and second to take part in annual Indo-Russian summit.

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According to Prime Minister, Forum focuses on development of business and investment opportunities in Russian Far East Region and presents ermous potential for developing close and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Russia in this region. He also pointed out that two countries enjoy excellent relations, based on strong foundation of a special and privileged strategic partnership. "Both countries cooperate extensively in strategic fields of defence, civil nuclear energy and peaceful uses of . We have robust and growing tre and investment relations," he wrote.

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PM Modi looking forward to meeting his "friend" President Putin

This strong partnership is complemented by a desire to promote a multipolar world and two countries closely cooperate towards this end in regional and multilateral fora. PM Modi said, “I look forward to discussing with my friend President Putin entire gamut of our bilateral partnership as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. I also look forward to meeting or global leers attending Eastern Ecomic Forum and interacting with Indian Industry and business representatives participating in it.”

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Prime Minister will visit Zvezda shipbuilding complex. He stated that it would present a great opportunity to learn about Russia’s exemplary capabilities in shipbuilding sector as well as explore possibilities of cooperation in this area. PM Modi also mentioned, in a tweet, that as a part of efforts to boost cultural cooperation, a special stamp to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th Jayanti would be released. An invative app to popularise Yoga would also be launched. PM hopes that more Russian citizens make Yoga an integral part of ir routine.

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Here is statement reproduced in full:

I will be visiting Vlivostok, Russia on 4-5 September, 2019. My visit to Far East Region of Russia, first by an Indian Prime Minister, underlines desire on both sides to diversify and furr strengn bonds of our robust bilateral relations. objective of my visit is two fold- to participate as Chief Guest at 5th Eastern Ecomic Forum at invitation of President of Russian Federation Mr Vlimir Putin andto hold 20th India-Russia Annual Summit with him. Forum focuses on development of business and investment opportunities in Russian Far East Region, and presents ermous potential for developing close and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Russia in this region. Our two Countries enjoy excellent relations, based on strong foundation of our special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Both countries cooperate extensively in strategic fields of defence, civil nuclear energy and peaceful uses of . We have robust and growing tre and investment relations. Our strong partnership is complemented by a desire to promote a multipolar world and two countries closely cooperate towards this end in regional and multilateral fora. I look forward to discussing with my friend President Putin entire gamut of our bilateral partnership as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. I also look forward to meeting or global leers attending Eastern Ecomic Forum, and interacting with Indian Industry and business representatives participating in it.