PM Narendra Modi greets China President Xi Jinping on his 64th birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping on his 64th birthday through his Chinese microblog account, wishing him "long life and good health."

"On the occasion of President Xi Jinping's birthday, I congratulate him and wish him long life and good health," Modi said in his message on Weibo which is akin to Chinese Twitter.

Modi had opened an account on Weibo during his visit to China in 2015.

"A few days ago I met with President Xi Jinping during the SCO summit in Astana and had a fruitful discussion to further promote the development of China-India relations," Modi said in his greeting in Chinese.

Surprisingly, Xi's birthday has not been highlighted by the official media.

Regarded as the post powerful Chinese leader in recent times, Xi heads the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), the military besides the Presidency.

This year, he completes his five-year rule and is expected to be elected by the party later this year for another term.

-PTI