Putin, Modi discuss preparations for Russian president's visit to India in Dec in phone call - Kremlin

MOSCOW. Sept 17 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday in a phone call, the two leaders discussed preparations for the Russian president's visit to India in December and international issues, the Russian presidential press service said in a statement.

Putin wished Modi "good health, wellbeing and further success in his work for the benefit of the Indian people." "The Russian president said that under Narendra Modi's leadership, India is pursuing an independent, sovereign policy and achieving impressive economic results," the statement said.

Putin said that relations between India and Russia have been friendly and based on nationwide support in both countries throughout modern history.

"The current successful development of the Russian-Indian particularly privileged strategic partnership, to which Narendra Modi is making a great personal contribution, was noted with satisfaction," it said.

"The two leaders discussed preparations for the Russian president's visit to India in December this year and addressed the entire range of international issues, including the situation around Ukraine," it said.

A congratulatory telegram from the Russian president was sent to Modi, the statement said.