Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders met and warmly hugged and then visited the Jewejda Shipbuilding Complex and saw some exhibitions here. Zvezda is Russia's largest shipbuilding complex. There will be bilateral talks between the two today. Earlier, the two leaders had met each other at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek.
Earlier on his two-day visit, PM Modi reached Vladivostok city of Russia at 4:30 am on Wednesday. PM Modi was given the Guard of Honor at Vladivostok International Airport in the presence of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov.
PM Modi will join the Eastern Economic Forum on this 36-hour tour. India is not a member of the Eastern Economic Forum, but PM Modi will attend the Fifth Eastern Economic Forum meeting as the chief guest at a special invitation from President Putin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by Indian expatriates to Russia at the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) in Vladivostok.
PM Modi is the first Prime Minister of the country to visit the Far East Region of Russia. During the PM's visit, the two countries will consider deepening cooperation in the strategic areas of defense, civil nuclear energy and peaceful use of space.
The Prime Minister also told on his official website that he will also attend the 20th India-Russia Annual Conference with President Putin on Wednesday. He said that the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) has immense power to develop. This platform will give India an opportunity to increase international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
