Modi urges Putin to end the war in Ukraine at SCO summit in Bishkek

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an end to the war in Ukraine during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.

Politico reports this.

“We need to move from endless war to its end, to a cessation of hostilities,” Modi said, invoking the legacies of Gandhi and Mother Teresa in his appeal for peace.

Putin responded briefly: “Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister. We are moving along this path.”

The meeting took place as part of a two-day summit marking the 25th anniversary of the SCO, held under the motto “Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.” The forum brought together leaders from China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, and Central Asian states.

The Modi-Putin talks were the first of the year. The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in defense, energy, space, and trade, and gave a positive assessment of the results of recent intergovernmental commission talks held in Moscow on August 24. The parties also separately addressed conflicts in the Middle East and the Black Sea region, which have disrupted maritime trade and endangered the lives of Indian sailors. Modi reiterated that “dialogue and diplomacy are the only path to resolving conflicts.”

In addition, Modi invited Putin to India for the BRICS summit scheduled for September 12–13, where progress is expected on the creation of cross-border payment systems and a proposed BRICS Grain Exchange.

On the sidelines of the summit, Modi held a separate meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening relations with Tehran and expanding bilateral trade. According to Iranian state agency IRNA, Pezeshkian told Modi that “the Americans, instead of resorting to diplomatic mechanisms, have chosen the path of war.” Xi Jinping and Putin also scheduled meetings with Pezeshkian — Iran is seeking to secure the support of allies amid intensifying economic pressure from the United States.

No official bilateral talks between Modi and Xi Jinping were scheduled in Bishkek, although sources allowed for the possibility of an informal meeting to prepare for Xi’s expected visit to India for the BRICS summit. Analysts described India’s participation in the summit as an expression of strategic autonomy rather than alignment with any bloc.

“India is not joining the Chinese-Russian axis. It is better understood as a platform where countries with very different interests can demonstrate that they have alternatives and strategic room to maneuver,” said Alejandro Reyes of the University of Hong Kong.

The meeting of the Council of Heads of State is scheduled for September 1, where the signing of the Bishkek Declaration is expected.