New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday as the latter conveyed his greetings to PM on his 70th birthday. The two leaders also reiterated their strong commitment to further strengthen the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between India and Russia.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his warm appreciation for the gesture. During the conversation, both the leaders expressed appreciation for the continued momentum in bilateral interactions despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, they referred to the recent productive visits to Moscow by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
PM Modi thanked President Putin for the successful Russian Chairmanship of the SCO and BRICS this year. He conveyed his eagerness to participate in the forthcoming SCO and BRICS Summit later this year, as well as the Council of SCO Heads of Government to be hosted by India, the PMO said.
Modi also thanked Putin for his personal commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with India, and said that he looked forward to welcoming President Putin in India for the next bilateral summit at a mutually convenient date.
This is the second time that the two leaders have spoken since July, in this year. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and EAM S Jaishankar attended the SCO summit in Moscow recently where they also met their Chinese counterparts to resolve the tense border situation along LAC.
-ARK
