Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to convey warm birthday greetings on the occasion of his 73rd birthday. The call not only reaffirmed the personal rapport between the two leaders but also underscored the unwavering commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi extended his best wishes to President Putin for his good health and continued success. The leaders took the opportunity to review the progress in the comprehensive bilateral agenda between New Delhi and Moscow.
A key point of the discussion was the upcoming high-level engagement. Prime Minister Modi conveyed his keen anticipation of welcoming President Putin to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, which is expected to take place in New Delhi in December this year.
The planned summit is a vital platform for advancing cooperation across various sectors, including energy, defence, trade, and strategic collaboration. The leaders’ commitment to the bilateral relationship comes shortly after Russia and India marked the 25th anniversary of the Declaration of Strategic Partnership earlier this month.
The personal bond between the two heads of state has been highlighted recently by President Putin himself. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club last week, the Russian President had referred to PM Modi as his “friend” and a “trustworthy partner,” praising the Indian leader as a “balanced, wise, and nationally oriented” figure. He also affirmed that Moscow looks forward to his visit to India.
The call on President Putin’s birthday reinforces the resilient and time-tested nature of the India-Russia partnership, setting a positive tone for the bilateral meeting scheduled for December.
