PM calls Putin, affirms strategic partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday pledged to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership ahead of the Russian leader's visit to India for an annual summit in December against the backdrop of growing pressure from Washington on New Delhi over its ties with Moscow.

- Rezaul H Laskar

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations when Modi dialled Putin to greet him on his 73rd birthday. Putin had called up Modi on September 17 to greet him on his birthday, and this was the fourth phone conversation between the leaders since early August. Modi "warmly congratulated" Putin on his birthday and "conveyed best wishes for good health and success in all his endeavours", said a readout from the external affairs ministry. The leaders "reviewed the progress in the bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the special and privileged strategic partnership" between India and Russia, the readout said. Modi said he looked forward to welcoming Puti