PM Modi wishes Russian President Vladimir Putin on 68th birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over a phone call on Wednesday and extended greetings to the occasion of the latter's 68th birthday.

Prime Minister recalled his long association and friendship with Putin, and appreciated the personal role that he has played in nurturing the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

Both the leaders agreed to remain in touch over the coming days, including on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Modi invited Putin to India, after the normalisation of the public health situation.

Earlier on September 17, Putin had wished PM Modi on his birthday and lauded his personal contribution to the strengthening of strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In a letter to Modi, Putin said, “Kindly accept my heartfelt congratulations on your 70th birth anniversary.” Praising Modi, Putin said his activity as India’s head of the government has earned him the well-deserved respect of compatriots and high international prestige.

“Under your leadership India is successfully moving along the path of socio-economic, scientific and technical development,” he said.

“It is hard to overestimate your personal contribution to the strengthening of the special and privileged strategic partnership between our countries,” Putin noted in the letter uploaded on the website of the Russian Embassy in New Delhi.

“I look forward to continue constructive dialogue with you and work closely together on topical issues of the bilateral and international agenda. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you good health, happiness, well-being and every success,” he said.