New Delhi: Many world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman, wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday on Thursday.
US Embassy in India extended wishes to Modi too, conveying the greetings on behalf of President Donald Trump.
The embassy, in a post on X, also shared an old photo of the meeting of the two leaders.
“On behalf of President Donald Trump, we wish Prime Minister Narendra Modi a very happy birthday. Wishing you all the health and happiness in the coming year!” the embassy posted.
The Russian Embassy in New Delhi, in a post on Facebook, said President Putin has sent a message to Modi “warmly congratulating him on his birthday”.
“The message reads, in part: ‘You are rightly enjoying a deep respect from your compatriots and great authority on the global stage. It is impossible to overstate your personal contribution to strengthening the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia’,” the embassy said.
In his message, Putin also expressed his gratitude for “the warm and cordial welcome and hospitality” extended to him and the Russian delegation during his visit to New Delhi last week.
The Russian president and many other world leaders attended the 18th BRICS Summit held here under India’s chairship on September 12 and 13.
“The talks we held were undoubtedly substantive, frank and productive. As always, it was a genuine pleasure to talk with you, and our discussions once again demonstrated your extraordinary political wisdom and foresight. We will, of course, continue our constructive cooperation on pressing bilateral and international issues for the benefit of our friendly nations,” Putin said in his message, according to the embassy, which used the hashtags “Druzhba Dosti” (friendship in Russian and Hindi) in its post.
Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in the small town of Vadnagar in Gujarat.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni also wished her Indian counterpart in a post in Italian on X, referring to him as a “friend”, and said the two countries may continue to strengthen their deep bond of friendship.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Rahman, in a post on X on Thursday night, extended greetings to PM Modi on the occasion.
“Warmest birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Wishing you many happy returns of the day. May your dedicated service to the people of India always be accompanied by good health and high spirit,” he wrote.
The official X handle of the prime minister of Israel carried Netanyahu’s birthday greetings to Modi. It also carried an old photo of the meeting between the two leaders.
“…Happy birthday, Narendra! …Your leadership has transformed India into a world power. Together, we have built an unprecedented partnership between our two great democracies.
“The friendship between Israel and India has never been stronger, and together we will take it to even greater heights. I wish you many more years of leadership, health and fulfilment. ILIN,” it said.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also wished PM Modi through social media posts.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica, I extend warm birthday wishes to Prime Minister @narendramodi. May the year ahead bring you good health and continued strength in service to the people of India,” Skerrit wrote.
PM Modi later acknowledged the greetings and responded to some of the posts.
“Thank you, Prime Minister Meloni, for your warm wishes. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation to further strengthen the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership,” he said.
Modi also thanked his Bangladeshi counterpart on X and wrote, “Thank you, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, for your warm wishes. I deeply appreciate your kind words.”
Responding to the post of Prime Minister Tobgay, Modi said, “I deeply cherish your greetings and sentiments”.
He also acknowledged the greetings offered by the Dominican PM and wrote on X, “Thank you, Prime Minister Skerrit, for your warm wishes and the goodwill of the Government and people of Dominica. India cherishes our close friendship.”
Modi, in his response to the WHO Director-General’s post, said, “Thank you for your warm birthday wishes and kind words, Dr Tedros. It was a pleasure to meet with you during the BRICS Leaders’ Summit and advance our shared commitment in various fields including global health.”
Envoys of Japan and Australia in India also extended greetings to Modi.
“Warm birthday wishes to PM Shri Narendra Modi. Your leadership continues to inspire India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat. Marking 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, may the IN JP partnership rise to even greater heights as we celebrate and join hands!” Japanese Ambassador Ono Keiichi posted on X.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India Philip Green, in a post on X, shared an old photo of the meeting between Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.
“Happy Birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. Your recent visit to Australia showcased the extraordinary warmth and strength of the Australia-India relationship and the deep bonds between our people. AU IN,” he wrote.
