Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine during talks in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, saying that a halt to hostilities was important for the whole of humanity.
Speaking through a translator at their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on Monday, Mr Modi said India supported all efforts to bring about peace.
“We need to move from endless war to the end of war, to the end of hostilities,” he told the Russian president, adding that every day the conflict continued set humanity back.
The meeting was the first between the two leaders this year. India’s prime minister also described the relationship between the two countries as continuing to strengthen, with discussions covering political, economic, defence, energy and space cooperation.
Mr Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward in resolving conflicts. India has maintained close strategic and economic ties with Russia while repeatedly calling for a peaceful settlement to the Ukraine war.
According to the Indian prime minister’s office, Mr Putin briefed Mr Modi on international and regional issues, including the conflict in Ukraine and its impact on maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers.
The two leaders are expected to meet again when Mr Putin visits India for the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13, 2026.
