After Trump, Modi Gets Birthday Call From 'Friend' Putin; Talks Special Ties, Ukraine War
On his 75th birthday, PM Modi received greetings from Presidents Putin and Trump. Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to its strategic partnership with Russia and its support for peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turned 75 on Wednesday, received congratulatory calls from Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, with discussions veering towards the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
During a phone call, President Putin extended warm greetings to Prime Minister Modi, acknowledging his leadership. “Your work as head of the (Indian) government has earned you great respect from your compatriots,” a Russian readout quoted Putin as saying. He added, “Under your guidance, India has achieved impressive results in the social, economic, scientific and technological spheres.”
Putin further noted that Modi has made “a great personal contribution to strengthening the privileged strategic partnership between our countries and to promoting mutually beneficial Russian-Indian cooperation in various areas.” According to the Russian side, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a constructive dialogue on bilateral, regional, and global matters.
In his response, Modi expressed gratitude for Putin’s wishes, writing on X: “Thank you, my friend, President Putin, for your phone call and warm wishes on my 75th birthday. We are committed to further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India is ready to make all possible contributions towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”
Thank you, my friend, President Putin, for your phone call and warm wishes on my 75th birthday. We are committed to further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India is ready to make all possible contributions towards a peaceful resolution of the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2025
An official Indian statement said that the Russian president “warmly conveyed his greetings” and Modi conveyed appreciation for the enduring friendship. The two leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations and looked ahead to Putin’s upcoming visit to India later this year for the annual summit. The statement reiterated that Modi “conveyed India’s full support for peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”
Trump’s ‘Wonderful’ Conversation
On Tuesday night, US President Donald Trump also rang Modi to wish him on his birthday. According to the Indian readout, Modi told Trump that India supports his initiatives towards finding a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine. Trump has been engaged in direct diplomacy, holding a summit with Putin in Alaska on August 15, followed by talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington.
US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he had a “wonderful” phone call with Modi on Tuesday, during which he extended birthday greetings and appreciated India’s role in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. “Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine! President DJT,” Trump posted, signing off with his initials.
PM Modi thanked him on X: “Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”
Strained India-US Ties
This was the first direct exchange between Trump and Modi since June, when they spoke during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada. Ties have been under strain, with Trump later imposing 50 per cent tariffs on India, including duties on Russian oil imports, and sharply criticising India’s high tariff structure.
Despite the tensions, Trump signalled optimism last week, stating on social media that he was “certain” India and the US would face “no difficulty” in concluding their trade talks. He also wrote that he looked forward to speaking with his “very good friend” Modi soon.
Responding then, Modi called India and the US “close friends and natural partners”, adding: “I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership. Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest. I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people.”
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