Russian President Vladimir Putin extended warm birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday, emphasising his pivotal role in strengthening the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between India and Russia.

The message was shared by the Russian Embassy in India on X, highlighting Putin’s admiration for Modi’s leadership and global stature.

Putin stated that Modi enjoys deep respect among his compatriots and holds great authority on the international stage. He remarked that it is impossible to overstate Modi’s personal contribution to advancing the bilateral partnership between the two nations.

The Russian President also expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation during his recent visit to New Delhi.

He noted that the talks held during his visit were substantive, frank, and productive. Putin described his discussions with Modi as a genuine pleasure, praising the Indian leader’s extraordinary political wisdom and foresight. He further affirmed that Russia and India would continue their constructive cooperation on pressing bilateral and international issues for the benefit of both nations.

Putin’s message followed his visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit, held in Delhi from September 12 to 13. During the Summit, he attended two BRICS Sessions, visited the Bharat Innovates exhibition at Bharat Mandapam, and addressed the Leaders’ Session of the BRICS Business Forum.

In his address, Putin criticised Western nations for turning trade and diplomatic pressure into state-level interference, condemning global economic coercion and “ugly” competitive tactics.

He revealed that Russia has been subjected to more than 30,000 sanctions, which is double the total number imposed on all other countries combined. This, he argued, demonstrates the scale of economic restrictions faced by Moscow. The issue of sanctions was a central theme in his remarks, underscoring Russia’s resilience in the face of unprecedented global pressure.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Modi and Putin held a bilateral meeting where they discussed closer trade ties, including the implementation of the Program for Economic Cooperation 2030. Their talks also covered cooperation in infrastructure, energy, technology, defence, and culture.

PM Modi later shared on X that he was delighted to meet Putin in Delhi less than two weeks after their earlier meeting in Bishkek during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders also exchanged views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest. These included conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have disrupted maritime trade and posed risks to Indian seafarers.

PM Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward in resolving conflicts, affirming that India stands ready to assist in peace efforts.

The warm birthday message from Putin not only reflected the personal rapport between the two leaders but also reinforced the strategic depth of India-Russia relations. It came at a time when both nations are navigating complex global challenges while seeking to expand cooperation across multiple domains.

ANI