Economic forum, visit to shipyard, judo championship part of Modi's agenda during Russia visit 

PM Modi will leave for the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok on Tuesday for a 36-hour visit from September 4-5 during which he will participate at the Eastern Economic Forum as one of the chief guests and the 20th annual India-Russia summit that alternates between both the countries.

Interestingly, PM Modi and President Putin will visit a shipbuilding yard which makes vessels including icebreakers and oil tankers and attend a judo championship. A 6-member Indian team is in Vladivostok to take part in the championship.

"We have a very special relationship with Russia. Annual summits are occasions to look at the entire gamut principally focusing on bilateral relations ", "Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said.

India believes its engagement with Russian far east will help its Indo-pacific engagement. With the opening of the northern sea route and arctic becoming the focus, New Delhi's presence in the region will meet its energy need. 

A five-year road map (2019-2024) will be announced on hydrocarbon cooperation both in term of purchase and exploration. COAL India and Steel Authority of India will sign MoUs with there Russian counterparts for export of coking coal and cooperation in the mining sector.

Asked if Kamov Ka-226 or Ka 226 T --Russian utility helicopter contract will be signed, Foreign secretary said, "As far as I am aware there will be no announcement regarding any specific agreements that have been reached"

An India-Russia business dialogue will take place and for this, a 50 member delegation from FICCI is in the Russian city. Eight to 10 business MoUs will be signed during PM's visit.  

Ahead of PM's visit, India's National security advisor Ajit Doval, External affairs minister S Jaishankar and Energy Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the country. 

Russia will train 4 Indian astronauts from November 2019 for India's manned mission to space Gaganyaan.