Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed the session of the second day of Eastern Economic Forum, on Thursday. Modi expressed his gratitude on being invited for the forum even before India’s General Elections. He said that Putin’s invitation had the effect of reaffirming to 130 crore Indians that they had made the right choice.

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Modi addresses the Eastern Ecomonic Forum

Adding to his statements, Modi said that Putin invited him as the chief guest for the Eastern Economic Forum two years ago and further said that “ From the frontier of Europe to the Gateway of Pacific, its like a Trans-Siberian journey for me”.

Modi futher extoled President Putin's vision for the Far-East and praised its growth in Human Development, especially in the fields of Education, Sports, and that people's innovation that have overcome the challenges of nature. Addressing the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, PM Narendra Modi remarked that relations between India and Far-East were not new but ages old. He said that India was the first country which opened its consulate in Vladivostok.

PM Modi also announced a line of credit worth US $1 Billion for the development of Far East. "I firmly believe that today's announcement will add a new dimension to the economic diplomacy of the two countries," Modi said.

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Purpose of Modi's visit

PM Narendra Modi is on his third bilateral visit to Russia.The main objective of Modi's visit is to participate as the Cheif Guest at the 5th Eastern Economic Forum and to hold the 20th India-Russia annual summit with President Putin.The visit to Far East Region of Russia, the first by an Indian Prime Minister, underlines the desire on the both sides to diversify and further strengthen the bonds the bilateral relations.

In a tweet, the Ministry of External Affairs said PM Modi was warmly welcomed at Vladivostok airport. "Over the next two days, bilateral meeting with President Putin, participation at Eastern Economic Forum and meetings with other world leaders on the agenda," the tweet said."I will be visiting Vladivostok, Russia on 4-5 September, 2019.

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