India and Russia begin 'new era' of cooperation: Modi

Vladivostok: India and Russia are beginning a new era of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region to make it "open, free and inclusive", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, amidst China flexing its military muscles in the strategic region.

Addressing the plenary session of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum here, Modi said, "When ships will start plying between Vladivostok and Chennai with the opening of the maritime routes between the two cities, the Russian port city will become the springboard of northeast Asia market in India. This will further deepen the Indo-Russia partnership."

A Memorandum of Intent was signed on Wednesday between India and Russia for the development of maritime communications between the ports of Chennai and Vladivostok in Russia's Far East Region.

The Far East, Modi said, will become the bedrock of strong Indo-Russia ties, which is based on the principles of "rules-based order, sovereignty, respect for territorial integrity and is against engaging in the internal matters of other countries".

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region.