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Putin wishes Modi, praises India-Russia strategic partnership (Img: X)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising his contribution to strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between India and Russia.
In a detailed message released by the Kremlin, Putin also thanked Modi for the warm welcome and hospitality 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", Putin said.
The Russian president described his recent discussions with Modi as productive and substantive, saying the two leaders had held “undoubtedly substantive, frank, and productive" talks during his visit.
“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 talks we held were undoubtedly substantive, frank, and productive".
Putin also underlined the importance of continued cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi on bilateral and international issues.
“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."
Modi turned 76 on Thursday, September 17, with leaders from India and abroad extending birthday greetings to the prime minister.
Putin had recently travelled to New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India on September 12-13. During the visit, he held a bilateral meeting with Modi, with the two leaders discussing ways to further strengthen their strategic partnership.
India and Russia have maintained close relations for decades, with cooperation spanning diplomacy, defence, energy, trade and other areas.
Putin’s latest visit to India was also his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His presence at the New Delhi summit and his meeting with Modi underscored the continuing engagement between the two countries.
