After Wishing PM Modi, Putin Calls India-Russia Ties ‘Exceptionally Trusting Since Soviet Era’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the SCO summit in Tianjin, China. (File photo)

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised the longstanding friendship between India and Russia, saying that since the time of the Soviet Union and into the modern era of Russia, relations between the two countries have remained “exceptionally trusting and friendly”.

Putin made the remarks during a televised meeting with his cabinet, shortly after calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally wish him on his 75th birthday.

“I just had a conversation with the Prime Minister of India, Mr Modi. I congratulated our friend, the Prime Minister of India, on his 75th birthday, on behalf of all of you,” Putin told his ministers.

The Russian president pointed the strong public and political support for close ties between Moscow and New Delhi, saying that the relationship has remained consistent across changing governments in both nations.

“There is a national consensus in both countries on bilateral friendly relations, which have transcended different party lines,” he noted.

Putin emphasised that India and Russia have shared a deep bond throughout history. “I would like to point out that throughout modern and contemporary history, to be precise, since the times of the Soviet Union and then in the era of new Russia, relations between India and Russia have been exceptionally trusting and friendly,” he said.

Putin Wished Modi Thrice On His Birthday

The televised remarks came after two earlier gestures from the Russian president. First, in a formal message published on the Kremlin website, Putin extended his heartfelt congratulations to PM Modi, calling him a leader with “enormous personal contribution” to the strengthening of India-Russia relations.

“You are making a great personal contribution to strengthening the special privileged strategic partnership between our countries, to developing mutually beneficial Russian-Indian cooperation in various areas,” he wrote.

In his second gesture, Putin personally called PM Modi to convey his wishes. Following the call, PM Modi took to X to thank him for the “warm wishes”.

“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,” PM Modi wrote.