Russian President Vladimir Putin will host Indian PM Narendra Modi in Vladivostok in the backdrop of the 20th edition of an annual bilateral summit where both sides are anticipated to sign 25 agreements across a plethora of sectors including defence, energy, infrastructure and various other sectors.
The visit of PM Narendra Modi here, primarily to attend the annual Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), is expected to result in increased business cooperation between India and Russia, besides a boost to overall bilateral ties.
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Modi and Putin are expected to discuss a proposal to establish a free trade zone between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a five-nation grouping, comprising Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Belarus, formed in 2015 to create conditions for the stable development of economies of the member states.
According to ET, “During such conversations, the key international and regional problems, coordination in the international arena are discussed very frankly, confidentially,” Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian media at the Kremlin on Saturday.
Earlier, Indian PM hosted his Russian counterpart for a one-on-one dinner at his residence and now Putin is reciprocating the same in Vladivostok. Russia was also the first P-5 nation to support India’s revocation on Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.
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At the September 4 summit, the two leaders will also adopt a joint statement titled “Through trust and partnership to new heights of cooperation”, which will set the mood for deepening bilateral ties, including closer foreign policy coordination, according to Ushakov.
On the same occasion, the Russian President, in a unique gesture, will hand over to Modi a stamp dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. The proposed Indo-Russian pact will also incorporate education and culture which will lead to increased intake of Indian students in top Russian Universities.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s trip, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval travelled to Russia to prepare the ground for the success of the significant visit.
