Several world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday on Wednesday.
Significantly, Prime Minister Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, a small town in Gujarat. President Putin today wished Modi a happy 75th birthday and praised his “great personal contribution” in strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
In a message published on the Kremlin website, Putin said, “Through your activities as the head of the government, you have gained high respect for your countrymen and excessive authority on the world stage.”
He said that under the leadership of Modi, India has achieved influential achievements in social, economic, scientific and technical fields. Putin said, “You are making great personal contribution in strengthening special strategic partnership between our countries and developing mutually beneficial Russian-Indian cooperation in various fields.”
A day earlier, US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Modi and congratulated him on his birthday, hoping to improve bilateral relations, which was under severe stress after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent.
Trump said that Modi is doing a great job and thanked him for the Prime Minister’s support in ending the war in Ukraine.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Wednesday described Modi on his birthday and called him a “good friend”. He said, “You have done a lot for India in your life, and we have achieved a lot in the friendship between India and Israel.”
In a video posted on his X handle by DD News, he said, “I hope to meet you soon, because we can take our partnership and friendship to even more heights. Happy birthday, my friend.”
In a video message, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates wished the Prime Minister’s “good health and continuous power”, as he is leading India’s “spectacular progress” and contributing to “global development”. He said that the Gates Foundation gives great importance to our partnership with the Government of India.
He said, “We are all supporting the progress in the direction of developed India and sharing learning and innovations for global South countries.”
Former Indian original British Prime Minister Sunak said that “Prime Minister Modi is very happy to wish his 75th birthday.” He said in a video message, “In this indefinite time, we all need good friends, and Modi ji has always been a good friend of me and Britain. I am happy to see Britain-India relations constantly strong.”
He said, “Being from a British-Indian family, this relationship will always have a special place in my heart.”
He said that he would remember his visit to India in 2023 as Prime Minister for the G20 summit “lovingly”. He said, “It was a great event on the world stage to suit India’s reputation. Modiji, I wish you a very happy birthday and hope to meet you soon.”
Best wishes to Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albaniz said that his country is proud of such a strong friendship with India and we are grateful to the Indian community’s contribution in Australia every day.
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Shering Tobge also wished Prime Minister Modi a happy birthday and wished his “good health, prosperity and longevity”.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Myanmar President Min Aung Halling, Guyana President Irfan Ali and Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skurit and other leaders also congratulated Modi on his birthday.