Bishkek: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to work towards ending the war in Ukraine, saying that continued fighting sets humanity back and that every step towards peace offers new hope.
Modi made the appeal during a meeting with Putin on Monday in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
“As you are aware, India supports all peace efforts in this regard, and we shall continue to do so in the future,” Modi told Putin, according to a Kremlin transcript of their exchange.
Modi said the two sides needed to move from “endless war” towards an end to the war and a cessation of hostilities. He said India had consistently discussed the Ukraine conflict with Russia and remained committed to supporting efforts for peace.
Putin responded that Russia was moving in that direction. However, there was no announcement after the meeting of a new ceasefire, peace agreement or Russian commitment to withdraw from Ukraine.
The Kremlin said Putin briefed Modi on the progress of the war in Ukraine. Russia has continued to insist on its own conditions for ending the conflict, while Ukraine has rejected Moscow's demands.
The meeting was the first between Modi and Putin this year. The two leaders last met in New Delhi in December 2025 during the 23rd India Russia Annual Summit.
Despite their differences over the Ukraine war, India and Russia continue to maintain close strategic ties. During Monday's meeting, the two leaders reviewed cooperation in political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people to people relations.
They also discussed India Russia cooperation in multilateral forums, including BRICS, which India is chairing this year. They exchanged views on regional and global issues, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.
India's official account of the meeting said Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward in resolving conflicts. The two sides agreed to remain engaged in strengthening their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Modi also said he looked forward to welcoming Putin to India for the 18th BRICS Summit on 12 and 13 September. The planned visit will provide another opportunity for the two leaders to discuss bilateral relations and international issues.
The Ukraine war remains active despite continuing diplomatic efforts. Russia and Ukraine have continued military operations, while international efforts to find a settlement have so far failed to produce an agreed end to the conflict.
The United Nations has continued to warn about the serious humanitarian consequences of the war and the need for an end to the fighting.
For India, Modi's latest message represents a renewed call for a peaceful settlement while New Delhi continues to maintain its close relationship with Moscow. India has repeatedly supported dialogue and diplomacy as the way to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
The Bishkek meeting did not produce a peace agreement or a confirmed ceasefire. But Modi's appeal to Putin showed that India continues to press for an end to the fighting while keeping its wider strategic relationship with Russia intact.