During a meeting on Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to transition from what he described as an “endless war” to a resolution of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This appeal comes as the war, now in its fourth year, continues to have significant negative effects on the global community.
Footage beamed on television showed them jointly entering the venue. The discussions between the two leaders covered key areas of cooperation such as defence, energy, mobility of workers, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people contacts. Because of the bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership, putin said Russia-India relations have become stronger.
Putin also noted that bilateral trade turnover increased by 2.6% in the first half of 2026 after a slight decline last year.
“This is undoubtedly facilitated by your personal attention to the development of the Russia-India relations, as well as by the close personal friendship that has developed between us,” he said. India is “among the leaders” in terms of foreign students in Russia, as the number of Indian students increased seven-fold over the past decade and now stands at almost 40,000, he said. They also discussed regional and global issues, 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 external affairs ministry said.
Following their meeting, Modi and Putin travelled together in the Russian President’s limousine to the venue of the inaugural ceremony of the World Nomad Games , just as they had done after a meeting on the margins of the SCO Summit in Tianjin last year.
Earlier reporting noted: PM Modi’s peace message from ‘land of Gandhi, Buddha’ to Putin over Russia-Ukraine war during SCO meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday and reiterated India’s support for peace as the war between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for over four years. The two leaders met against the backdrop of increased tensions over Russian and Ukrainian attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea that have killed at least five Indian seafarers. The two leaders also reviewed various aspects of bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade, investment, and energy and fertiliser security. This is essential for the well-being of humanity.
Modi and Putin are set to meet again within less than a fortnight when the Russian leader travels to New Delhi to participate in the Brics Summit to be held during September 12-13.
The impact of the attacks in the Black Sea on maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers figured in the discussions, the external affairs ministry said. Modi referred to Putin as “my friend” and said all Indians were eager to welcome him and his delegation as the visit will “strengthen bilateral relations and empower discussions and cooperation within Brics”. Modi referred to Putin’s visit to India for the annual bilateral summit last December and said the meeting had taken economic cooperation to new heights. A peaceful resolution to all issues at the earliest is the call of humanity, and this is India’s message,” Modi said during the meeting. Earlier reporting noted: Delivering India’s peace message, Modi said that the country stands with all efforts towards peace.
Earlier reporting noted: “We must move away from endless war towards an end to the war.
