Putin greets Modi on 76th birthday, praises India-Russia partnership
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday and praised his role in deepening India-Russia ties. In a message published on the Kremlin website, Putin also said Modi enjoys "great authority on the global stage".
Putin, who recently visited India for the 18th BRICS Summit, also thanked Modi for the welcome extended to him and the Russian delegation during the trip. He said the two sides would continue constructive cooperation on key bilateral and international issues.
"You are rightly enjoying a deep respect from your compatriots and great authority on the global stage. It is impossible to overstate your personal contribution to strengthening the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia," Putin said in the message. Prime Minister Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarat.
Putin visited New Delhi for three days from September 11 to 13. "I would like to express my gratitude for the warm and cordial welcome and hospitality extended to me and the Russian delegation during my visit to New Delhi last week," the message read. "The talks we held were undoubtedly substantive, frank, and productive. As always, it was a genuine pleasure to talk with you, and our discussions once again demonstrated your extraordinary political wisdom and foresight." He added, "We will, of course, continue our constructive cooperation on pressing bilateral and international issues for the benefit of our friendly nations."
On Friday, Modi held wide-ranging talks with Putin, focusing on raising annual bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 and expanding existing cooperation in defence, energy, critical minerals and fertiliser supplies. The meeting took place hours after Putin landed in New Delhi on a three-day visit to take part in the BRICS summit.
Putin's birthday message to Modi highlighted the close partnership between India and Russia, thanked him for the hospitality during the recent Delhi visit, and underlined their talks on trade and cooperation in key sectors.
