Narendra Modi sends greetings to Vladimir Putin on Russian National Day

NEW DELHI: In a gesture to Russia on its National Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wrote to President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to underline that India "values" the longstanding and strong bond with that country.

"My greetings to the people of Russia on Russia's National Day. India values the long-standing & strong bond with Russia," Modi tweeted. "I have written to President Putin & Prime Minister Medvedev, conveying greetings on the occasion of Russia's National Day," another tweet of his said.

Russia celebrates June 12 as the National Day since 1992. Soon after Modi-led BJP swept to a spectacular victory in Lok Sabha election, Putin had sent him a congratulatory message to him and hoped relations between the two countries would further improve with Modi at the helm in India.

"We highly appreciate traditionally friendly relations between the two countries based on the declaration of strategic partnership," Putin had said. Putin had also called up Modi and extended an invitation to him to visit Russia in near future. Putin had also told Modi that he looked forward to meeting him at the upcoming BRICS Summit in Brazil next month.