Mr Putin congratulated Mr Singh on his 75th birthday. The two leaders discussed preparations for Mr Singh’s visit to Russia in November and a series of bilateral contacts and talks at various levels scheduled to take place during this time.
The telephone conversation was Russia’s initiative.
Mr Putin also sent Mr Singh a message of congratulations, in which he said, in particular:
“You are known in Russia as an influential statesman, prominent scholar, and the initiator of wide-ranging reforms that have helped India confidently enter the new millennium as a country with a fast-growing economy.
We highly value your great personal contribution to strengthening the multidimensional strategic partnership between our two countries. I have warm recollections of our meetings, which always take place in the spirit of friendship, constructive atmosphere and openness that are an inherent part of Russian-Indian relations. It will be my pleasure to see you in Moscow at our next bilateral summit.“