Ahead of PM Modi's trip to Russia's far-East beginning on Wednesday, the Russian Embassy in India has announced on Tuesday that India will have its own pavilion at the 5th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) at Vladivostok, Russia. The lounge titled 'India Lounge' is set up with the support of the Roscongress Foundation at Vladivostok to attract Russian investors to the growing economy of India, as shared by the Russian Embassy. The lounge will be used as a platform to demonstrate investment opportunities in the Far East including Indian investments in the region, according to a statement released by the Embassy. The EEF will begin on Wednesday (4 September) and will conclude on Friday (6 September).

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India Lounge in Vladivostok

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Why need an India Lounge?

The Embassy stated that as India's GDP is set to exceed USD 3 trillion this year, India has the status of a guest country at the EEF 2019. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by President Vladimir Putin himself, the Embassy stated that PM Modi will become the main guest of the EEF 2019 as the head of the Indian delegation. As both countries aim to increase trade to USD 30 billion by 2025, the Embassy stated that the India Lounge will facilitate this in particular. The pavilion which bears the Prime Minister's picture will be located in front of Building B at Far Eastern Federal University and will be functional from 4-6 September during the EEF.

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PM's visit to Vladivostok

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale shared about the Prime Minister's upcoming bilateral visit to Russia. He mentioned that the PM will be visiting Russia for two main reasons. Firstly, the PM has been invited to attend the Eastern Economic Forum by Russian President Putin as one of the chief guests and secondly, he will be holding the annual India-Russia Summit. The Prime Minister will be visiting Russia for just 36 hours and is scheduled to attend multiple conferences, summits and also attend a major Judo Championship which will be taking place in Vladivostok.

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PM Modi's Vladivostok itinerary

The Foreign Secretary laid out a broad plan of the two-day visit to far-East Russia. The Prime Minister will first visit a shipyard where vessels such as oil tankers, ice breakers are built. He is also expected to hold bilateral meets with the Head of state of Mongolia, and the Prime Ministers of Japan and Malaysia who will also be attending the summit. Gokhale said that details of which bilateral meeting would take place in what order would be revealed in due course. The PM will make an address and there will also be a Russia-India business dialogue, for which a 50 member delegation will be present in Vladivostok.