Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his 73rd birthday during a phone call on October 7, 2025. The leaders discussed the progress of their bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.

In an official statement, PM Modi expressed his eagerness to host President Putin in India for the upcoming 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, scheduled for December. This summit will be significant as it marks Putin's first visit to India since 2021 and comes after the ongoing geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

During the call, PM Modi conveyed his best wishes for Putin's health and success. The two leaders reviewed their bilateral agenda, emphasizing the importance of their partnership. Putin, speaking at a recent event, referred to PM Modi as a "balanced, wise" leader and expressed confidence in India's ability to maintain its sovereignty amid external pressures, particularly from the United States regarding energy imports.

On October 3, India and Russia celebrated the 25th anniversary of their Declaration of Strategic Partnership, which was signed in 2000. This agreement has been pivotal in shaping their cooperative efforts across various sectors, including economic, cultural, and educational domains.

The upcoming summit in December will coincide with the 15th anniversary of their partnership being elevated to a special and privileged status. Both leaders are keen to continue strengthening their ties, which have been characterized by mutual respect and collaboration on global issues.