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Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his 75th birthday with warm wishes from world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Wednesday, PM Modi thanked Putin for his greetings and used the occasion to highlight India’s commitment to peace, especially regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Modi also reaffirmed the importance of India’s strong partnership with Russia, a relationship that has been central to New Delhi’s foreign policy for decades.
PM Modi shared his gratitude through a message on X (formerly Twitter). He 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.”
This response reflects India’s consistent position since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. While India has avoided openly taking sides, it has regularly urged both Russia and Ukraine to find a diplomatic solution through dialogue. Modi has often repeated that “this is not an era of war,” a message he has conveyed at several global platforms.
By thanking Putin and emphasizing peace, Modi combined personal diplomacy with India’s broader strategic approach. The message also came at a time when India and Russia continue to deepen cooperation in energy, defence, and trade, even as the world remains divided over the Ukraine war.
Earlier in the day, the Kremlin released Putin’s congratulatory message for Modi. The Russian President praised Modi’s leadership and described him as a respected statesman both at home and abroad. Putin said India had achieved “remarkable results in social, economic, scientific, and technological spheres” under Modi’s tenure. He further noted Modi’s personal contribution to strengthening India-Russia ties, calling their partnership “strategic and privileged.”
Putin’s choice of words signalled Moscow’s continued recognition of New Delhi as a trusted ally, despite India’s growing engagement with Western powers.
The exchange of greetings between Modi and Putin comes shortly after the two leaders met at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, last month. Their talks focused on regional stability, economic cooperation, and global security. Both leaders highlighted the importance of strengthening ties in energy, defence, and trade sectors.
Russia has been one of India’s oldest defence partners, supplying a large share of its military equipment. In recent years, India has also increased imports of Russian oil, benefiting from discounted prices amid global sanctions on Moscow. At the same time, India has balanced its ties with Russia by engaging more actively with the United States and European countries, reflecting its multi-alignment strategy.
Putin’s birthday message can be seen as a reminder of Russia’s desire to maintain strong ties with India at a time when Moscow faces growing isolation from the West. India, meanwhile, continues to walk a careful diplomatic path, keeping its strategic interests intact while also calling for peace in Ukraine.
World leaders from different regions also joined in wishing Modi on his milestone birthday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Modi as a “good friend” and said their countries had achieved great progress together. He expressed hope of meeting Modi soon to take India-Israel ties “to even greater heights.”
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also extended greetings, reflecting Modi’s global stature as a leader with significant influence on the world stage.
Modi’s mention of Ukraine in his birthday message to Putin carried strong symbolism. At a time when much of the world is divided, India continues to project itself as a country that can bridge differences. Modi’s call for a peaceful resolution reflects India’s long-standing foreign policy tradition of dialogue and diplomacy.
Analysts note that India’s balancing act has allowed it to maintain trust with both Russia and Western nations. By avoiding confrontation and focusing on practical cooperation, India has positioned itself as an important voice in global affairs. This was evident when Modi’s statement at last year’s G20 summit in Bali — “this is not an era of war” — was included in the final declaration, highlighting India’s influence.
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On his birthday, Modi chose to repeat this message of peace directly to one of the central figures in the Ukraine conflict. While Putin’s message praised Modi’s leadership, Modi’s reply stressed India’s willingness to help find a solution. This exchange reflected the personal warmth between the two leaders while also underscoring the strategic importance of their partnership.
As India continues to rise on the global stage, occasions like these show how personal diplomacy and statecraft often merge. Modi’s birthday was not only a celebration of his personal milestone but also an opportunity to highlight India’s global role.
For Russia, sending warm wishes was more than a gesture of friendship. It was also a way to reaffirm a partnership that has remained steady through decades of geopolitical shifts. For India, acknowledging the greetings while repeating its peace message served as a reminder that it remains committed to dialogue, balance, and constructive global engagement.
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