New Delhi/Dhaka, Sep 28 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent greetings to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her birthday, saying that her "resolute leadership has provided the people of Bangladesh a beacon of hope during a difficult period".

"From development to security, Bangladesh has made rapid strides in its progress towards peace and prosperity for all citizens, under you able stewardship," Modi wrote in a birthday message to Hasina.

Modi also said he is looking forward to welcoming Hasina in Goa next month, when India would be hosting the BRICS summit, and taking forward their shared agenda of regional cooperation.

The message was sent to Hasina on Tuesday just ahead of her birthday.

The birthday greeting comes as India and Bangladesh have both decided to pull out of the Saarc summit in Islamabad to be held in November. The two countries have written to Nepal, the current Chair of the bloc, about their decision not to attend the Saarc summit due to be held in Islamabad.