PM Modi greets Putin on 73rd birthday, reaffirms commitment to stronger India-Russia ties

In a warm gesture that underscored the enduring friendship between India and Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended birthday greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his 73rd birthday. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between their nations.

Strengthening a Time-Tested Partnership

During the phone call, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his best wishes for Putin’s good health and continued success, while also expressing his eagerness to welcome the Russian President to India later this year. The leaders reviewed progress in key areas of cooperation, including defence, trade, and energy, and agreed to further enhance bilateral engagement.

This marks the fourth conversation between Modi and Putin since August, highlighting the consistent dialogue between New Delhi and Moscow amid a shifting global landscape.

Putin’s Expected Visit to India in December

President Putin is expected to visit India around December 5 for the 23rd annual bilateral summit. Ahead of the visit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is likely to travel to New Delhi next month to finalize the agenda and key deliverables.

The upcoming summit will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, security, and strategic sectors. It will also mark Putin’s first visit to India since 2021, and since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

Defence Ties and Strategic Dialogue Continue

In preparation, both sides are set to convene the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) this month reinforcing their shared focus on defence collaboration and long-term strategic goals.