'Spoke with my friend': PM Modi calls Putin to wish him on birthday; vows to dee ...

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NEW DELHI: Ahead of the India-Russia annual summit in early December, PM Modi and President Vladimir Putin spoke again and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.After Putin called Modi last month to wish him on his 75th birthday, Modi made a return birthday call to the president, 73, on Tuesday."Spoke with my friend President Putin and conveyed warm birthday greetings and best wishes for his good health and long life. Deeply appreciate his personal commitment to deepening India-Russia ties over the years," said Modi on X. The PM told Putin he was looking forward to welcoming him to India for the 23rd summit. Putin is expected in India on Dec 6. This will be Putin's first visit since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022. There was no mention of Ukraine in the Indian readout on this occasion.