Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he is "very impressed" with President Vladimir Putin's vision for the development of Russia's Far East region and expressed confidence that the "professionalism" of the Indian diaspora will help in the speedy development of the region, blessed with abundant natural resources.
The prime minister also paid tributes to the hard work and courage of the people living in the Far East who he said "have turned the frozen land into a flower bed".
The climate in the Far East, beyond the Arctic Circle, is extremely harsh. The winter lasts nearly nine months, snow covers the ground almost all year round, and the seacoasts are icy even in summer.
Addressing the plenary session of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum here, Modi said, "Putin's interest in the Far East and his vision for the development of the region have opened a lot of opportunities for India."
Hailing the hard work and courage of people living in Russia's Far East, Modi said, "People living in Far East have overcome the challenges of natures through their sheer hardwork, courage and innovation. There are no sectors where they have not got success."