PM Modi, Says Ties With Russia Stood The Test Of Time!

RUSSIA’S TIES WITH INDIA HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME – SAYS PM MODI AT EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM

EEF: The Indian Prime minister ‘Narendra Modi’ in his address to the Eastern Economic Forum made it clear that the energy partnership between India and Russia can help bring stability to the global energy market. While noting that the friendship between the two countries (India and Russia) has stood the test of time and was seen in “our robust cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic, including in the area of vaccines” recently, PM Modi said. However, he also noted that the energy sphere is also another major pillar of the strategic partnership between Russia and India.

“India-Russia energy partnership can help bring stability to the global energy market”, Modi said in his virtual address during the 6th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) Summit in Vladivostok.

“In India history and civilization, the word “Sangam” has a special meaning. It means confluence, or coming together of rivers, peoples or ideas. In my view, Vladivostok is truly a Sangam of Eurasia and the Pacific”. He added.

During Modi’s address, it was noted that Russian President ‘Vladimir Putin’ was present. As Modi reflected on his last visit to the country precisely during the EEF that was held in 2019. “In 2019, when I had visited Vladivostok to attend the Forum, I had announced India’s commitment to an Act Far East policy. This policy is an important part of our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership with Russia”.

In an attempt to ensure India has its fair share in the Far East which is known to be rich in resources, PM Modi did not relent over issues of interest but rather doubled down on his nation’s willingness and potentials which he believes will be a huge contribution to the region, therefore, he made it clear by extending an invitation for the governors of the 11 regions of Russian Far East to visit India at the earliest.

“India has a talented and dedicated workforce, while the Far East is rich in resources. So, there is tremendous scope for Indian talent to contribute to the development of the Russian Far East”.

To ensure India has its footprint in Russia’s energy sector, the oil minister of India ‘Hardeep Singh Puri’ is currently in Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum summit based on interest to strengthen its association with the mineral-rich region of Russia. While during his five-day visit Puri will meet with two Russian ministers, namely minister for energy ‘Nikolay Shulginov’, minister for development of the Far East and Arctic ‘Alexei Chekunkov’ to discuss the collaboration between Indian and Russian companies in that region, according to the ministry statement.

“India and Russia Have robust and growing bilateral energy cooperation, which is a key pillar of Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries”.

Although, both countries are ironically the largest investors in each of the country’s oil and gas sectors, owing to the fact that Indian energy companies are poised to make Russia their largest investment destination.