We greatly value India-Russia friendship: Putin

Moscow, Aug 15 (UNI) Praising India's impressive achievements in varied fields on the occasion of its 60th Independence Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the relationship between the two nations has taken the shape of a joint stretegic partnership.

''We are genuinely happy to see your country's impressive achievements over the years of its sovereign development in economy, science and culture and public and political life,'' Mr Putin said today in a message to President Pratibha Patil.

''We greatly value the relations of friendship and trust that Russia and India have established, relations that have stood the test of time and that, through our combined efforts, have reached a level of strategic partnership,'' he said in his message.

''We are traditionally united by common national interests and firm commitment to the ideals of a multipolar world and democratic development,'' the message added.

The Russian President also said that in the last 60 years, India has transformed into a developed nation which has high aspirations from its future generation and deservingly enjoys the world's importance.

''India today is a country that looks confidently towards the future and enjoys deserved importance and influence in the world,'' Mr Putin said.

In a separate message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said Russia and India were united by common fundamental, national interests and commitment to the ideals of peace and progress.

He further noted that this commo understanding forms a reliable foundation for the strategic partnership between the two countries.

UNI