PM Modi Congratulates Putin on 73rd Birthday, Discusses India-Russia Strategic Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to congratulate him on his 73rd birthday, wishing him good health and long life.
During the call, both leaders reviewed the progress of the India-Russia bilateral agenda and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two nations. PM Modi expressed his eagerness to host President Putin for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.
Putin Expected to Visit India in December
President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India on December 5 for the annual summit. Discussions during the visit will likely focus on defense, energy, trade, and security cooperation between the two countries.
It is yet to be confirmed whether Putin’s visit will be for one or two days. Ahead of his trip, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit India in November to finalize summit preparations. India and Russia have a long-standing tradition of annual summits, with 22 meetings held so far. PM Modi last visited Moscow in July, while Putin’s last visit to India was in 2021. The upcoming summit is expected to focus heavily on military and technical cooperation.
Defense Collaboration: S-400 Missile Systems
India may also explore the purchase of additional S-400 air defense missile systems from Russia. India had signed a $5 billion deal in 2018 for five units, with three regiments already delivered. The remaining two are expected next year. Russia’s S-400 systems have been crucial in enhancing India’s defense capabilities, notably playing a key role during Operation Sindoor in thwarting Pakistani air attacks.
Putin Praises PM Modi
In their conversation, President Putin praised PM Modi, calling him his friend and expressing comfort in their interactions. Putin lauded India’s nationalist government under Modi, describing the Prime Minister as “balanced, intelligent, and nationally friendly.”
Highlighting the historical ties, Putin emphasized that India-Russia relations have remained strong since the Soviet era. “In India, they remember this, they know this, and they value it. We appreciate that India has not forgotten this,” he remarked.
