Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, that the war in Ukraine must cease for the sake of humanity. Modi emphasized India’s ongoing support for all peace efforts aimed at halting the conflict, stating that each day the war persists, humanity is set back, while progress towards peace offers hope. He stressed the necessity of transitioning from an endless war to a cessation of hostilities.

The meeting, which took place on August 31, 2026, saw Modi refer to Putin as “my friend” and highlight the growing economic ties between India and Russia, underscoring that these relations are guided by the mutual interest of both nations. The Kremlin reported that Putin informed Modi about the progress of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, a term Russia uses to describe its actions, which Ukraine deems an unacceptable demand for capitulation. India, alongside China, remains a significant purchaser of Russian oil, a factor that has helped Russia sustain its budget despite Western sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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