Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin to “move away from endless war” and work toward ending the invasion of Ukraine, during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of a regional summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday.
The meeting took place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which brought together leaders from across Central Asia and beyond, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The SCO, a China-led grouping focused on security and shared regional interests, is sometimes framed as a counterweight to NATO, though it does not carry the same membership rules or mutual defense obligations. Modi, Putin and Xi were also expected to meet Pezeshkian to discuss Iran’s conflict with the United States, but appeared to give priority to their bilateral talks with each other.
Indian and Russian media both highlighted Modi’s remarks urging Putin to pursue peace, language that was noticeably sharper than his previous public statements on the war. Modi has consistently opposed sanctions or economic isolation of Russia and remains a major buyer of Russian oil.
“Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm. We must move away from endless war towards an end to the war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity,” Modi told Putin, according to India’s Economic Times.
Modi added: “We have consistently discussed the issue of Ukraine. When we met previously, you briefed me in detail on all aspects of the matter. As you know, India supports all efforts towards peace and will continue to do so.”
On social media, Modi described the meeting in broader terms, focusing on the bilateral relationship rather than the war itself. “Discussed the full range of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. It is gladdening to see significant progress across various sectors in recent years,” he wrote, listing energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people ties as priority areas.
Neither Indian nor Russian coverage gave much detail on how Putin responded to the appeal. Russian state news agency Tass reported that Putin said, “we are moving along in this path,” suggesting he sees progress toward peace with Ukraine, though the agency did not elaborate. Tass instead focused on Putin’s comments praising trade ties with India.
“I would also like to note with satisfaction that Russian-Indian relations continue to strengthen on the principles of a specially privileged strategic partnership,” Putin said. “This is facilitated by your personal attention to the development of Russian-Indian relations and the fact that we have not only business relations but also very warm, personal, and friendly ties.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters separately that Putin “has informed Modi” of developments regarding the invasion, though Tass did not report further detail on what was discussed.
Ukrainian state-affiliated media picked up on Modi’s comments, replaying the moment he pressed Putin toward ending the war.
Long ties, strained by war
India and Russia have maintained close relations dating back to the Soviet era, with India relying on Russia for defense technology and diplomatic backing. Since the invasion began, Modi’s government has increased purchases of discounted Russian oil, a move that, along with other diplomatic tensions, has strained India’s relationship with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently signaled interest in repairing ties with India. In a meeting with Ukrainian diplomats last week, he named India and China as countries he wants to engage more directly, according to the state-run outlet Ukrinform.
“Zelensky urged Ukrainian diplomats to find new ways to strengthen relations with both India and China,” Ukrinform reported. “He said that Ukraine had to find a practical way to strengthen its relations with India and seek dialogue with China. He added that if Ukraine did not want China to support only Russia, it would have to build those relationships despite the significant challenges involved.”
As Modi and Putin met in Kyrgyzstan, Zelensky was hosting a U.S. delegation in Ukraine led by Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Zelensky called the talks “detailed and constructive” and said a visit by Trump himself may be in the works.
“Importantly, the dialogue between negotiating teams of the U.S. and Ukraine continues all the time, and now we are talking about locking in the dates for the visit to Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote on social media. “Such a trip would be highly beneficial for hammering out solutions for peace.”
“Steve and Jared know many details. Our teams will be in close touch to work out the agenda and the most suitable schedule for further communication. I thank President Trump @POTUS, Steve and Jared, and everyone in the United States who works to make peace our joint achievement,” he added.
