New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek, the discussions focusing on cooperation in trade, investment, energy, defence and global geopolitical scene including the Russia-Ukraine war.
Reiterating New Delhi’s position, Modi said India supports all peaceful efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and will continue to do so.
“India advocates for resolving all problems peacefully, which is necessary for all of humanity,” PM Modi said during a joint statement with Putin.
“Every day of war sets humanity back, we must work toward ending hostilities,” the Indian PM said, stressing on the need to move from “endless wars to the end of war.”
Modi said both countries could move forward by keeping their respective interests in mind, and added that he was carrying a message of peace from the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha.
Putin, who was met with a warm hug by Modi, noted that relations between Russia and India were continuing to grow stronger.
The bilateral talks between the two leaders, lasting nearly 30 minutes, took place less than a fortnight before Putin is due to travel to India to attend the annual BRICS summit.
#WATCH | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/RCUW7n0J7c
— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2026
Ever since Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict, avoiding direct criticism of Russia.