PM Modi urges Putin to end Ukraine War

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to work towards ending prolonged conflicts and finding peaceful solutions, as the two leaders held talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The meeting focused on India-Russia bilateral relations as well as major international developments, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Modi said India remained committed to supporting efforts aimed at achieving peace and stressed that the world must move away from prolonged warfare.

"Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm," Modi said during the meeting. He emphasised that moving away from endless wars and towards their conclusion was necessary for the well-being of humanity.

Referring specifically to the Ukraine conflict, Modi said India had maintained regular discussions with Putin on the issue. He reiterated New Delhi's support for all efforts directed at establishing peace and called for an early resolution to outstanding disputes.

"A peaceful resolution to all issues at the earliest is the call of humanity, and this is India's message," Modi said, adding that the traditions associated with Mahatma Gandhi and Gautama Buddha convey a common message of peace.

The Prime Minister also invited Putin to attend the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September. Modi said India was looking forward to welcoming the Russian president and expressed the view that his visit would further strengthen relations between the two countries.

Putin thanked Modi for his personal attention to India-Russia relations and underlined the importance of continued engagement between the two countries.

In a post on X following the meeting, Modi said the two leaders had discussed the full range of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. He said significant progress had been made in several sectors in recent years, identifying energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people ties as key areas for further cooperation.

Following their bilateral talks, Modi and Putin travelled together in the same car to Bishkek Arena for the opening ceremony of the VI World Nomad Games.

The meeting came several months after Putin's state visit to New Delhi for the India-Russia Annual Summit on December 4-5, 2025. During that summit, the two countries adopted a joint statement and announced 21 outcomes, including 16 memoranda of understanding and agreements.

Those agreements covered areas including mobility, fertilisers, healthcare, food safety, maritime cooperation, customs, trade, academia and media.

India and Russia have conducted 23 annual summits so far, with the meetings alternating between the two countries. Their bilateral ties were elevated to a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" in 2010.

The latest meeting in Bishkek comes as New Delhi continues to engage closely with Moscow while maintaining its stated position that dialogue and diplomacy are the preferred routes to resolving international conflicts.