Published 21:59 IST, September 4th 2019
PM Modi in Russia; raises Gujarat-Siberia Nature Link, hails ties
PM Modi in an interview in Russia on Wednesday shared how India had a natural connection with Far East Russia and his future development plans with Russia.
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In an interview with the TASS news agency in Russia on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, "It seems to me that nature itself connects us with the far east. For example, every December, Siberian cranes fly to my native state of Gujarat. For them, this is a kind of tourist destination. Siberian cranes fly from there to Gujarat, many Indians go to the Far East. So this is a natural connection."
PM Modi is currently visiting Russia for two days to meet President Vladimir Putin and to attend the Eastern Economic Forum.
PM Modi Calls Migration of Siberian Cranes to Gujarat 'A Natural Connection'
Answering a question about the development of relations between Russia and India, PM Modi spoke about how Far East Russia would require labour resources for development. He shared that India has a great potential for that. He gave an example of the diamond industry in Gujarat that consists of skilled people with a lot of experience. As the Far East was working in the same area, both countries could join forces to work towards similar goals.
PM Modi went ahead to say that 'nature itself connects us with the Far East.' He connected how Siberian cranes migrate to India every year in winter to the way Indians go to the Far East. Modi termed Russia-India's relation as a natural connection.
PM Modi's Interview in Russia
PM Narendra Modi spoke about his relationship with Russian President Putin. The Prime Minister shared that President Putin was friendly and courteous when PM Modi visited Russia as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He also said that India and Russia achieved trust, something that is of great importance. He also spoke about the way both the nations have similar opinions on most issues.
About the future prospects of Russian-Indian relations, PM Modi has said, "I note that many people in the world do not know that when Vladivostok was a closed city, the only exception was India, it was India that became the first foreign state to open its consulate there. This is a reflection of trust between our countries."
Modi also credited President Putin for the initiation to save the declining Tiger population in India ten years ago. According to PM Modi, the current number of Tigers having doubled with Putin's help.
15:34 IST, September 4th 2019