In September 2019, Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Russia’s Far East. He travelled to Vladivostok to give the keynote at the Eastern Economic Forum and participate in the annual India-Russia leaders’ level summit—the 20th of its kind. The premier’s visit was designed to 1) revitalize India’s Russia relationship so that country remains part of Delhi’s diversified portfolio of partners, 2) diversify India’s Russia relationship so it is more relevant to Delhi’s domestic and regional priorities, 3) reinforce that India, Russia and the region have changed and India-Russia ties needed to be updated to reflect that change, and 4) encourage a rethink in Russia about the Indo-Pacific and make Moscow a partner in achieving Delhi’s objectives in that region—which could, in turn, benefit India-Russia ties and make them more sustainable.

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