Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as he turned 76. Messages from both leaders were shared through the Russian and US embassies in India.
Putin praised Modi and highlighted the longstanding relationship between India and Russia. In his message, the Russian president said Modi enjoys significant respect in India and has authority on the global stage. He also credited the prime minister with contributing to the strengthening of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Putin also recalled his recent visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit earlier this month. He thanked Modi for the hospitality extended to him and the Russian delegation and described their discussions as substantive, frank and productive.
The Russian president said he looked forward to continuing cooperation with India on bilateral and international issues. His message came at a time when India-Russia relations are being closely watched amid changing global trade and geopolitical dynamics.
Trump also sent birthday greetings to Modi. The US Embassy in India posted a message on X on behalf of the American president, wishing the Indian prime minister health and happiness in the coming year.
The greetings from Washington came against the backdrop of tensions over US measures targeting countries that purchase Russian oil. The US House of Representatives recently passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 262-159. The legislation is set to move to Trump for consideration.
If enacted, the legislation would give the US president powers to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil. India and China are among the countries named in the legislation, along with Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan.
Despite these tensions, the birthday message from the US side reflects continued diplomatic engagement between Washington and New Delhi.
Prime Minister Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat. His 76th birthday is being marked with several events and public programmes across India.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, a month-long campaign running from September 17 to October 17. The programme includes service-oriented activities and public outreach initiatives.
Several events are also being organised in Varanasi and other parts of the country to mark the occasion. Meanwhile, political leaders, public figures and supporters have been sending birthday greetings to the prime minister.
The messages from Putin and Trump add an international dimension to the celebrations, coming amid ongoing discussions over India’s relations with both Russia and the United States.
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