Terms peace essential for Ukraine
Bishkek: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated India’s support for all efforts towards achieving peace in Ukraine, telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that the world must move from an “endless war” towards an end to the conflict, which he said was essential for the well-being of humanity.
Modi made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, with the Ukraine conflict remaining a central focus of their discussions.
“As you know, India supports all efforts towards peace and will continue to do so. Every day spent in war pushes humanity backwards, while every step taken towards peace fills humanity with a new hope and enthusiasm. We must move from an endless war towards an end to the war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity,” Modi said in his opening remarks.
He said the two leaders had discussed the situation in Ukraine in the past and that Putin had briefed him in detail about all aspects of the conflict during their last meeting.
Terming India’s position a “call of humanity”, Modi said New Delhi’s message had consistently been that all issues should be resolved peacefully and at the earliest.
“The land of Gandhi and the land of Buddha has one message: to follow the path of peace. I look forward to discussing these matters with you today,” he said.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.
The MEA said Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward in resolving conflicts.
The two leaders reviewed progress in India-Russia bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, including political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties.
They welcomed the outcome of the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), which was held in Moscow on August 24.
The two sides also discussed India-Russia engagement in the multilateral arena, particularly BRICS under India’s Chairship for 2026.
The MEA said the two leaders agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, which continued to register significant growth and had shown resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties.
Modi said he was looking forward to welcoming Putin and the Russian delegation to India for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12-13.
“In a few days from now, India will host the BRICS Summit. All Indians are very eager to welcome you and your delegation to India. Your visit will further strengthen our bilateral relations and also enhance dialogue and cooperation within BRICS,” Modi said.
The meeting was held against the backdrop of Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow last week. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had met Putin on August 24 and handed over a “personal message” from Modi.
“Pleased to call on President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Handed over a personal message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Jaishankar had posted on X after the meeting.
He had also briefed Putin on the deliberations held under the 27th IRIGC-TEC, which reviewed bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, and said they had discussed regional and global issues of importance.
Ahead of meeting Putin, Jaishankar had co-chaired the 27th session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.
Putin, during his meeting with Jaishankar, said the visit underscored the level of India-Russia relations established over decades.
“We continue to work together in virtually all areas. This includes governmental ties, interparliamentary ties, and economic cooperation,” Putin said, noting that bilateral trade had increased this year after declining slightly last year.
He attributed part of the increase, and perhaps primarily, Modi’s personal attention to the development of Russian-Indian relations.
At the meeting, Putin also highlighted cooperation in energy and fertilisers, saying Russia was increasing fertiliser supplies and was ready to do more to meet the requirements of Indian farmers and agriculture.
He said nuclear energy, cooperation in high-tech sectors and other areas were also on the agenda and that progress was proceeding steadily.
Putin also conveyed his best wishes to Modi through Jaishankar and said he hoped to see the Prime Minister soon within the framework of the SCO, adding that their schedules would probably allow them to meet again this year.
Jaishankar told Putin that Modi was looking forward to meeting him at the SCO Summit and also hoped to have the opportunity to welcome him at the BRICS Summit in India.
“Indeed, we had a meeting of the intergovernmental commission this morning. I have a very good report to share with you, concerning our economic cooperation, nuclear energy, fertilizers, and so on,” Jaishankar said, describing India and Russia as having a “strong, robust bilateral partnership”.
The Modi-Putin meeting was their first this year. They had earlier met in New Delhi for the 23rd Annual Summit in December last year.
Immediately after concluding their bilateral discussions, Modi and Putin travelled together in the same car to the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena, in another public display of their warm camaraderie.
The two leaders had displayed similar bonhomie during the SCO Leaders’ Summit in Tianjin last September, when they travelled together in the same car to the venue of their bilateral meeting.
