PM Modi tells Putin ‘Every day of war brings back humanity’, calls for end to hostilities in Ukraine | Today’s news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (31 August) to seek an end to hostilities in Ukraine, stressing that resolving the conflict through peaceful means is in the interest of all humanity.
The two leaders held talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as India continues to balance its close strategic partnership with Russia with its long-standing call for dialogue and diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine.
PM Modi calls for a peaceful solution
Modi told Putin that India supports resolving all issues related to the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means.
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PM Modi emphasized that “every day of war brings humanity back” and urged President Putin to seek an end to hostilities in Ukraine and advocate a peaceful solution.
India believes that conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy is essential to the interest of humanity and long-term stability, as reiterated by Prime Minister Modi during his meeting with Putin.
India has maintained a cautious stance on the Ukraine conflict, consistently calling for an end to hostilities and favoring peace talks since Moscow’s invasion began.
Many advocates suggest that adherence to India’s emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy could be beneficial to the resolution of international conflicts, including the situation in Ukraine.
PM Modi emphasized that the ongoing war negatively affects humanity and reinforces the urgent need to end hostilities and seek peaceful solutions to geopolitical conflicts.
“Every day of war takes humanity back,” Prime Minister Modi said, stressing the need to work towards an end to hostilities.
India has maintained a cautious stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine since Moscow launched its all-out invasion in February 2022. New Delhi has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict.
PM Modi highlights progress in bilateral relations
After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said on social media platform X that the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral relations.
“Had extensive discussions with President Putin. Discussed a wide range of India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership,” PM Modi wrote.
“It is heartening to see significant progress in various sectors in recent years,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also identified several sectors that will remain key for India-Russia cooperation.
“The focus areas of India-Russia friendship remain energy, innovation, space, fertilizers and people-to-people ties,” he said.
Putin praises PM Modi’s role in detentions
In response, Putin thanked Prime Minister Modi for his personal attention to the relationship between the two countries.
“I am very grateful to you for your personal attention to Russian-Indian relations,” the Russian president said.
At the meeting, the two leaders were seen hugging and shaking hands, underscoring the warmth of bilateral relations.
PM Modi invites Putin to BRICS summit
PM Modi also invited Putin to the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi in September.
“We are excited to welcome you to India for the BRICS Summit in New Delhi this September,” PM Modi said, adding that Putin’s visit would further strengthen India-Russia relations.
Putin is expected to travel to New Delhi for the summit later this year.
The last annual India-Russia Summit was held in New Delhi during Putin’s state visit on 4-5 December 2025. During this summit, the two countries adopted a joint statement titled “India-Russia: A Time-Tested Progressive Partnership Anchored in Trust and Mutual Respect”.
Relations between India and Russia remain strong
Russia has remained a key pillar of India’s foreign policy, with cooperation spanning defence, trade, energy, science and technology, security and people-to-people relations.
The two countries established the India-Russia Strategic Partnership in 2000. During Putin’s visit to India in December 2010, the partnership was upgraded to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”.
So far, 23 annual summits have been held alternately in India and Russia.
PM Modi attends SCO Summit in Bishkek
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday to attend the 26th SCO Summit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zaparov.
The summit will bring together leaders of SCO member states to discuss regional and international issues and strengthen cooperation within the grouping.
The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.
Afghanistan and Mongolia have observer status, while countries including Turkey, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia are dialogue partners.
