Putin Sends Birthday Greetings to PM Modi, Highlights India-Russia Strategic Ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the continued importance of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

The message was issued on September 17, 2026, as Prime Minister Modi marked his 76th birthday. Putin referred to Modi’s standing in India and his role in advancing relations between New Delhi and Moscow.

The Russian President also recalled his recent visit to New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit. Putin thanked Prime Minister Modi for the welcome and hospitality extended to him and the Russian delegation during their September 11–13 visit.

According to the message published by the Russian presidency, Putin described his discussions with Modi in New Delhi as substantive and productive. He also said that Russia would continue working with India on bilateral and international issues.

The birthday message comes shortly after a bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. During their September 11 meeting, the two leaders reviewed progress in several areas of cooperation, including political and economic relations, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people ties.

The meeting also included discussions on expanding trade and industrial cooperation. The leaders welcomed the first edition of Russia’s INNOPROM India industrial exhibition, held in India from September 9 to 11, and discussed its role in strengthening commercial and industrial engagement between the two countries.

Defence remains one of the established areas of India-Russia cooperation, alongside energy, space, trade and other strategic sectors. The two governments have continued high-level engagement while also addressing wider regional and international developments.

During the New Delhi meeting, President Putin invited Prime Minister Modi to Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. Modi accepted the invitation, with the dates to be finalised through diplomatic channels.

Putin’s latest message therefore follows a period of intensive diplomatic engagement between the two countries, with the recent BRICS Summit providing another opportunity for the Indian and Russian leadership to discuss bilateral cooperation and wider international issues.

The exchange also reflects the ongoing official emphasis on maintaining the India-Russia strategic partnership and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.