Putin tells PM he is an authoritative statesman

President Vladimir Putin said Russia Manmohan Singh as an "authoritative statesman and initiator of large-scale reforms" helping India catapult into a fast growing economy.

Greeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his 75th birthday on Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin said Russia sees him as an "authoritative statesman and initiator of large-scale reforms" helping India catapult into a fast growing economy.

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The two leaders also discussed preparations for the Indo-Russian summit to be held here in November during Singh's forthcoming visit to Moscow,the Kremlin press office said.

"Russia has known you as an authoritative statesman and prominent scholar and initiator of large-scale reforms that helped India enter the 21st century as a country with a fast growing economy," said Putin extending his birthday wishes.

"We highly value your great personal role in strengthening the diversified strategic partnership between Russia and India.

I warmly recall our meetings, invariably marked by goodwill, constructiveness and sincerity, typical of Russian-Indian relations. I will be happy to see you in Moscow at the next Russian-Indian summit," Putin was quoted as saying.