The world must move from endless war to the end of war: PM Modi to Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on August 31, 2026. | Photo credit: Reuters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek on Monday (31 Aug 2026) and said the world “must move from endless war to end war for the benefit of humanity”.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders discussed conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, where Indian sailors have been attacked by Russian and Ukrainian forces in recent months.
Moving from ‘endless war’ to ‘end of war’: PM Modi tells Vladimir Putin about Ukraine
Moving from ‘endless war’ to ‘end of war’: PM Modi tells Vladimir Putin about Ukraine | Video Credit: The Hindu
“We had extensive discussions with President Putin. They discussed a whole range of India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership. It is heartening to see significant progress in various sectors in recent years. Energy, innovation, space, fertilizers and people-to-people ties remain areas of focus for India-Russia friendship,” PM Modi said.
In a statement, the ministry said: “They also shared views on key regional and global issues of common concern, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have affected maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers. The Prime Minister reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward in resolving conflicts.”
The upcoming BRICS summit figured prominently in the discussion, with Mr Modi saying he was “looking forward to welcoming President Putin to India for the 18th BRICS summit on September 12-13”.
The Bishkek meeting between Mr Modi and Mr Putin was part of talks during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to the Kremlin on August 24, 2026, when Mr Putin indicated he would meet Prime Minister Modi in Kyrgyzstan and also at the BRICS summit in Delhi.
“This time, our meeting is taking place on the eve of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – an organization that works to deepen contacts between the countries of the Global South and East, supports the socio-economic and cultural development of the region, and contributes to building a just multipolar world,” President Putin said in his remarks, recalling that next year we will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Moscow.
PM Modi, Putin discuss Black Sea-Gulf crisis, safety of seafarers: MEA
PM Modi, Putin discuss Black Sea-Gulf crisis, seafarers’ safety: MEA | Video Credit: The Hindu
Mr. Putin noted that the number of Indian students in Russia has increased almost seven-fold in ten years and 40,000 Indians are currently studying in Russia.
President Putin said trade and economic cooperation between Russia and India is showing positive trends, with trade turnover increasing by more than 2%. He noted the increase in tourism exchanges between the two countries with a 16% increase in 2025.
PM Modi, Putin discuss Black Sea-Gulf crisis, safety of seafarers: MEA
PM Modi, Putin discuss Black Sea-Gulf crisis, seafarers’ safety: MEA | Video Credit: The Hindu
Published – 31 Aug 2026 19:33 IST