Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, and Ayush have set out for Russia to represent India at the prestigious Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. During his visit, Minister Sonowal is slated to meet key Russian dignitaries, including Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, and Vitaly Saveliev, Minister for Transport of Russia, to bolster strategic, trade, and logistical cooperation across various sectors.
Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to lead India at this forum, Minister Sonowal emphasized the strengthened ties between India and Russia under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dynamic leadership. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to establish an alternative trade route between Vladivostok in Russia and Chennai in India, aiming to further enhance bilateral trade and commerce.
During his participation in the India-Russia Business Dialogue at the Eastern Economic Forum, Minister Sonowal will emphasize the vital role of trade, commerce, and business in strengthening the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two nations. He will also address the session on the Eastern Maritime Corridor, a crucial initiative aimed at reducing cargo transit times between India and Russia, unlocking new trade and cooperation opportunities.
The 8th Eastern Economic Forum, taking place from September 10 to 13, 2023, in Vladivostok, serves as a significant international platform for fostering economic development in Russia’s Far East, facilitating global investment, and evaluating business conditions within advanced special economic zones. Established in 2015 by President Vladimir Putin, the Eastern Economic Forum is instrumental in expanding international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and boosting the economic potential of Russia’s Far East.
