Modi Urges Putin to End Ukraine War at Bishkek Summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday that the war in Ukraine must end for humanity's sake.

The talks took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Modi stated that New Delhi would support all peace efforts aimed at ending the hostilities. He called Putin their friend and praised the strengthening of economic ties between India and Russia, which he said are based on the need to put the interests of their peoples above all else.

According to a Kremlin transcript, Modi said India supports all peace efforts in this direction and will continue to do so. He added, "Every day that the war continues, humanity is, in effect, set back a step, whilst every step towards peace gives all of humanity real hope for peace." Modi has previously sought a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Putin thanked Modi in response, assuring him that Russia was moving forward along this path. The two leaders also discussed the impact of Black Sea attacks on maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers, which have killed at least five Indian seafarers. Modi and Putin traveled together in the Russian President's limousine to the World Nomad Games inaugural ceremony, a practice they also followed after a meeting at the SCO Summit in Tianjin last year.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that a trilateral meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir was possible only to formalize agreements.