Modi tells Putin India supports efforts to end war in Ukraine

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday that the war in Ukraine needed to end for humanity’s sake, saying New Delhi would support all efforts to stop the fighting.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, where Modi also praised expanding economic ties between India and Russia.

Call for an end to hostilities

Modi described Putin as “my friend” and said the relationship between India and Russia was guided by the need to place the interests of both countries above all else.

“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.

“Every day that the war continues, humanity is, in effect, set back a step, whilst every step towards peace gives all of humanity real hope for peace,” Modi said. “We need to move from endless war to an end to the war, to a cessation of hostilities.”

Putin responded: “Thank you very much, Prime Minister. We are moving forward along this path,” according to state media.

Economic ties and Russia’s position

India, together with China, is among the largest buyers of Russian oil. Their purchases have helped Moscow replenish its budget since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022 and faced sweeping Western sanctions.

The Kremlin has repeatedly said that Russia is prepared to end the war only on its own terms. Ukraine has rejected those conditions as an unacceptable demand to capitulate.

After the talks, the Kremlin said Putin had briefed Modi on the progress of what Russia describes as its “special military operation” in Ukraine, TASS reported.