PM Modi greets Vladimir Putin on his birthday, appreciates privileged strategic partnership between nations

Modi appreciated the personal role Putin has played in nurturing the "special and privileged strategic partnership" between the two nations.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (October 7) reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin and extended birthday greetings to him.

Modi appreciated the personal role Putin has played in nurturing the "special and privileged strategic partnership" between the two nations.

PM Modi conveyed his best wishes through a telephonic conversation as Putin turned 68.

"Spoke to my friend President Vladimir Putin @KremlinRussia_E to greet him on his birthday today. Appreciated his immense personal contribution to strengthening the Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," Modi tweeted.

According to an official statement, the Prime Minister also recalled his long association and friendship with Putin and appreciated the personal role that the latter has played in nurturing the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two nations.

Both leaders agreed to remain in touch over the coming days, including on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"The Prime Minister expressed his keenness to welcome President Putin in India, as soon as possible after the normalisation of the public health situation," the statement said.

On September 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin had greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 70th birthday and lauded his personal contribution to the strengthening of strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In a letter to Modi, Putin had said, “Kindly accept my heartfelt congratulations on your 70th birth anniversary.”