Prime Minister Modi urges end to Ukraine war during talks with President Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on 31 August 2026. The two leaders held extensive discussions covering a broad range of bilateral and global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and tensions in West Asia.

Modi told Putin that India “supports every effort to end the war in Ukraine” and emphasized that the world must move “from endless war to an end of war for the benefit of humanity.” He reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy are the preferred pathways for resolving conflicts, a view shared by both leaders during their talks.

The meeting also addressed the impact of the Black Sea region conflict on maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers, who have faced attacks from both Russian and Ukrainian forces in recent months. Both sides exchanged perspectives on these regional security challenges and their broader implications.

In addition to the security dialogue, the leaders reviewed the India‑Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, noting significant progress across sectors such as energy, innovation, space, fertilizers and people‑to‑people linkages. The discussion highlighted ongoing cooperation and future opportunities for deepening ties between the two countries.

Modi also referred to the upcoming 18th BRICS summit, scheduled for 12‑13 September 2026 in India, and expressed his anticipation of welcoming President Putin to the event. The meeting in Bishkek thus combined bilateral strategic dialogue with preparations for the forthcoming multilateral summit.