India, Oct. 7 -- India and Russia pledged to further strengthen their strategic partnership on Tuesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted President Vladimir Putin on his birthday.

Modi dialled Putin to greet him on his 73rd birthday and convey best wishes for his good health and success, according to a readout on the conversation from the Indian side. Putin called up Modi on September 17 to greet him on his birthday, and this was the fourth phone conversation between them since early August.

Tuesday's conversation, which came about two months ahead of an expected visit to India by Putin, allowed the two leaders to review progress in bilateral ties. Modi and Putin "reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the special and privil...