PM Modi Urges Putin to Move From ‘Endless War’ to ‘End of War’ at SCO Summit
- MGMMTeam
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a renewed message for peace to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31. With the Russia-Ukraine conflict continuing to weigh heavily on global security and economic stability, Modiji stressed that the world must move away from prolonged hostilities and work towards a peaceful resolution.
The meeting was significant not only because of the Ukraine conflict but also because it was the first meeting between Modiji and Putin this year. The two leaders had previously met during the India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi in December 2025.
Modiji’s Clear Message on the Ukraine Conflict
During his interaction with Putin, Modiji said that the world needs to move from an “endless war” towards an “end of war”. He emphasised that every day spent in conflict pushes humanity backwards, while every step towards peace creates hope and confidence.
Modiji also reiterated that India supports all efforts aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine. His remarks reflected New Delhi’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving international conflicts.
The Prime Minister connected this message with India's civilisational heritage, referring to the country as the “land of Gandhi and Buddha”. He said that both Gandhi and Buddha represent a common message of peace, giving the diplomatic appeal a distinctly Indian character.
India’s Approach: Dialogue and Diplomacy
India has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. New Delhi has continued to engage with Moscow while also maintaining diplomatic relations with Kyiv and other major global powers.
The latest meeting reinforces this approach. Rather than limiting its engagement to one side of the geopolitical divide, India has sought to keep communication channels open and encourage conditions that could support a peaceful settlement.
The Indian position also reflects a broader understanding that prolonged conflicts have consequences well beyond the battlefield. Disruptions to energy supplies, trade routes, food security and global economic activity can affect countries far removed from the immediate conflict.
India-Russia Relations Remain Strong
While the Ukraine conflict featured prominently in the conversation, the Modi-Putin meeting covered a much broader India-Russia partnership. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders reviewed cooperation in areas including politics, trade, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people relations.
The two sides also welcomed the outcome of the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural Cooperation, which met in Moscow on August 24. This reflects the continuing expansion of economic engagement between the two countries.
Energy remains an important pillar of the relationship. Reuters reported that Modiji highlighted the growing economic relationship between India and Russia, including energy cooperation, while the two countries continue to strengthen economic ties despite the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
A Partnership Built Across Multiple Sectors
India and Russia share a longstanding strategic relationship that extends beyond any single international issue. Defence cooperation has historically been an important component, while energy, fertilisers, space, trade and technology have increasingly contributed to the partnership.
The Indian government has described the relationship as a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” and said that it has remained resilient despite changing geopolitical circumstances. Both leaders agreed to continue working towards strengthening this partnership.
The breadth of the discussions in Bishkek demonstrates that India-Russia ties continue to evolve according to changing economic and strategic priorities. Cooperation in newer areas, alongside established sectors, is becoming increasingly important for both countries.
SCO Provides an Important Diplomatic Platform
The SCO summit offered an important platform for Modiji to engage directly with leaders of major Eurasian powers. The grouping brings together countries with diverse political and economic interests, making it an important forum for discussions on regional security, connectivity, economic cooperation and global challenges.
The Bishkek summit also brought Modiji together with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, among other leaders. Their presence highlighted the importance of the SCO in the evolving international diplomatic landscape.
For India, participation in such forums provides an opportunity to advance its strategic interests while maintaining an independent and constructive diplomatic position. Modiji’s engagement with Putin demonstrated how bilateral relations and broader global concerns can be addressed simultaneously.
India’s Message Goes Beyond the Ukraine War
Modiji’s appeal to Putin should also be viewed within the larger context of India’s foreign-policy approach. New Delhi has repeatedly stressed that conflicts should ultimately be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations.
The Prime Minister’s latest remarks therefore represent continuity rather than a sudden change in India’s position. India has sought to maintain strong partnerships while encouraging peaceful solutions to international disputes.
This approach gives New Delhi the space to engage with countries across geopolitical groupings. At a time when global relations are increasingly divided by competing strategic interests, India’s emphasis on communication and diplomacy allows it to maintain relationships while advocating stability.
Putin Briefs Modiji on the Conflict
During the meeting, Putin also briefed Modiji on developments relating to the Ukraine conflict. According to Reuters, the Russian president indicated that Moscow was moving towards peace, although Russia continues to maintain its own conditions for ending the conflict.
The exchange between the two leaders is significant because India continues to maintain direct communication with the Russian leadership. Such engagement allows New Delhi to convey its position personally while remaining informed about Moscow’s perspective on the evolving situation.
Modiji Invites Putin to India
The meeting also looked ahead to the next major diplomatic engagement between the two leaders. Modiji said he looked forward to welcoming Putin to India for the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12–13, 2026.
The upcoming BRICS meeting will provide another opportunity for India and Russia to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as broader global and economic issues. It also comes during India’s BRICS chairship, giving New Delhi an important role in shaping the agenda of the grouping.
A Message Rooted in India’s Civilisational Values
Perhaps the most distinctive element of Modiji’s remarks was his reference to Gandhi and Buddha. By invoking two globally recognised symbols of peace and non-violence, the Prime Minister placed India’s diplomatic message within a wider civilisational framework.
The message was straightforward: prolonged conflict cannot be the permanent answer to international disputes, and the ultimate objective must be peace. Modiji’s appeal to move from an “endless war” to an “end of war” therefore reflects both India’s diplomatic position and its broader emphasis on peaceful coexistence.
The MGMM Outlook
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO Summit highlights India’s consistent emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts. His appeal to move from an “endless war” to an “end of war” reflects India’s broader approach of encouraging peace while maintaining constructive relations with all major global powers. By invoking the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautama Buddha, Modiji also placed India’s diplomatic message within its longstanding civilisational emphasis on peace and coexistence. At the same time, the meeting demonstrated that India-Russia relations extend well beyond the Ukraine conflict, with cooperation continuing across energy, defence, trade, space and other strategic sectors.
The engagement also underlines India’s growing role as a bridge between different geopolitical groupings. By keeping communication channels open with Moscow while advocating negotiations and stability, New Delhi continues to pursue an independent foreign-policy approach focused on national interests and global peace. Modiji’s invitation to Putin for the upcoming BRICS Summit further reinforces the depth of the bilateral relationship and provides another platform for discussions on international and economic issues. At a time of complex global tensions, India’s ability to maintain strong partnerships while consistently advocating dialogue strengthens its position as a constructive and influential voice on the world stage.
(Sources: Hindustan Times, India Today, Times of India)
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