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US Embassy Sends Birthday Wishes for PM Modi (Img: X)
New Delhi: The United States Embassy in India on Thursday extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi “on behalf of President Donald Trump”, sharing a photograph of the two leaders from Modi’s visit to Washington.
Modi turned 76 on Thursday, September 17, receiving birthday wishes from leaders and governments around the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those who congratulated the prime minister and praised his role in strengthening India-Russia relations.
In a post on X, the US embassy said: “On behalf of President Donald Trump, we wish Prime Minister @narendramodi a very Happy Birthday. Wishing you all the health and happiness in the coming year!"
The message came at a time when India-US ties are also facing discussions over trade and energy, particularly following legislation passed by the US Congress targeting Russia and Iran.
The United States Congress on Wednesday cleared legislation proposing tougher sanctions against Russia and Iran. The measure, which had already passed the Senate, is now headed to President Trump for final approval.
The legislation would give the US president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue to purchase significant quantities of Russian oil and gas. India is among the major buyers of Russian energy, making the development particularly relevant for New Delhi.
India has said it is closely monitoring developments while maintaining that decisions concerning its energy purchases will be guided by the interests of its citizens.
“As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
The statement underlines India’s stated approach of maintaining diversified energy supplies rather than relying on a single source. The issue has assumed greater importance as Washington continues to pursue measures aimed at reducing Russia’s energy revenues following the Ukraine conflict.
The latest US legislation could potentially add another layer of complexity to India-US economic relations if the proposed powers are eventually used against countries purchasing Russian energy.
While Washington sent birthday greetings on Trump’s behalf, Putin also conveyed his wishes to Modi and highlighted the prime minister’s contribution to the India-Russia strategic partnership.
In a detailed message released by the Kremlin, Putin thanked Modi for the warm welcome extended to him and the Russian delegation during his three-day visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit 2026.
“You are rightly enjoying 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", the Russian President said.
Putin also referred to his discussions with Modi during the visit, describing them as productive and emphasising the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries.
“As always, it was a genuine pleasure to talk with you, and our discussions once again demonstrated your extraordinary political wisdom and foresight. We will, of course, continue our constructive cooperation on pressing bilateral and international issues for the benefit of our friendly nations."
The messages from Washington and Moscow come as India continues to maintain engagement with both the United States and Russia on issues ranging from trade and energy to defence and strategic cooperation.
Putin’s recent visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit included a bilateral meeting with Modi, where the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership.
At the same time, the US Congress’s latest legislation has brought renewed attention to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and the potential implications for its trade relationship with Washington.
New Delhi has consistently maintained that its energy decisions are based on national requirements and market conditions. The MEA’s latest statement reiterated that position while pointing to diversified sourcing as part of India’s approach to securing energy for its population.
Against this backdrop, Modi’s 76th birthday has brought messages from both Washington and Moscow, even as India navigates its relationships with the two major powers amid continuing geopolitical and economic tensions.
