‘India committed to strengthening ties’: PM Modi thanks Putin for birthday greetings

New Delhi | September 17, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turned 75 on Wednesday, expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for personally calling and extending warm wishes on his milestone birthday. Modi described the gesture as a reflection of the long-standing friendship and trust between India and Russia, while reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to deepen its partnership with Moscow. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Thank you, my friend, President Putin, for your phone call and warm wishes on my 75th birthday. We are committed to further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India is ready to make all possible contributions towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.” The post highlighted two key aspects of India’s current foreign policy—keeping the decades-old strategic partnership with Russia strong while at the same time projecting India’s role as a constructive global player in conflict resolution. Putin praises Modi’s leadership Earlier in the day, the Kremlin released a congratulatory message from President Putin addressed to PM Modi.

In his note, Putin lauded Modi’s personal role in enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple domains. “You are making a great personal contribution to strengthening the particularly privileged strategic partnership between our countries and to developing mutually beneficial Russian-Indian cooperation in various areas,” Putin said in the message, published on the Kremlin’s official website. The Russian leader also underscored the importance of the relationship, which has seen collaboration in defence, energy, space research, and trade for decades. His remarks emphasized continuity in the close ties shared by the two nations, even as the global order undergoes shifts due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. Broader global greetings PM Modi’s 75th birthday has attracted attention from across the world, with several global leaders extending their wishes.

US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were among those who greeted him warmly. Many of these leaders acknowledged Modi’s stature on the world stage and his influence in shaping India’s rise as a key global power. Within India, wishes poured in not only from political leaders but also from celebrities, business magnates, and ordinary citizens. Social media platforms were flooded with birthday messages, with hashtags related to Modi trending throughout the day.

India-Russia ties at a crossroads The timing of Putin’s outreach is particularly significant, given the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict and the shifting global alignments. While several Western countries have distanced themselves from Moscow, India has continued to maintain its traditionally close ties with Russia. India has increased its purchase of Russian crude oil in recent years, even as it simultaneously strengthens strategic and economic partnerships with Western nations such as the US, France, and the UK. Experts say that balancing these relationships has become a hallmark of Modi’s foreign policy.

By reaffirming India’s willingness to contribute to peace in Ukraine, Modi sought to position New Delhi as a responsible stakeholder in international affairs, capable of engaging both sides of a divided global landscape. A symbolic milestone As PM Modi marked his 75th birthday, the messages from world leaders like Putin carried symbolic weight. They not only reflected personal goodwill but also underlined the enduring importance of India’s global relationships. For Modi, who has often emphasized India’s role as a Vishwaguru (global guide), the day was more than just a celebration—it was an affirmation of his growing influence on the world stage and the trust that international leaders continue to place in his leadership.