After the successful conclusion of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi, the global focus shifted towards another grand event of the East. The 8th Eastern Economic Forum was started on 10th September in Vladivostok, Russia. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonwal was representing India at the economic summit and addressed the stakeholders on the Eastern Maritime Corridor, which operationalises from Chennai to Vladivostok, as an alternative trade route. The minister held several strategic bilateral talks on economics and political issues with his Russian counterparts Alexey Chekunkov and Vitaly Saveliev. Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke to the attendees on the final day of the summit, 13 September.  

The Russian President skipped two major global events in the last 20 days, the BRICS Summit in South Africa and the G20 Summit in India due to the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov represents Russia in both events. 

Speaking at the 8th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, the Russian President praised the efforts of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enhancing the global economy. He also said that PM Modi is doing the right things for India to promote the open market in the country. 

In addition he said, “Everyone knows, we did not have domestic cars in the past, but now we do. True, they look more modest than the Mercedes or Audi cars we bought and drove in the 1990s, but that’s not a problem. I think we should follow the example of many of our partners, especially India. They focus on manufacturing and servicing vehicles made in India. I think PM Modi is doing the right thing to promote Make in India. He is right.” 

However, he did not make any comment on the offer of North Korean President Kim Jong Un, who offers support to help the Russians in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.  Delegations from China, Laos, Mongolia and ASEAN countries are also participating in the economic forum.