Modi tells Russia's Putin that war in Ukraine must end for humanity's sake

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to end the war in Ukraine for the sake of humanity. Speaking at the beginning of their meeting in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, Modi stated that New Delhi would support all peace initiatives aimed at halting the conflict. The two leaders convened on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Modi addressed Putin directly, referring to him as my friend. He praised the expanding economic relationship between India and Russia, noting that these ties are driven by the necessity to prioritize the interests of both nations above all else. According to a Kremlin transcript of the exchange, Modi emphasized that India supports every peace effort in this regard and intends to continue doing so in the future. He argued that each day the war persists sets humanity back by one step. Conversely, every step toward peace offers genuine hope to the global population. Modi declared that the world must transition from endless warfare to a cessation of hostilities. He added that progress must move precisely in that direction. This stance aligns with previous statements by the Indian leader regarding his desire for a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis. Putin responded to the remarks, thanking the prime minister and stating that they are moving forward along this path, according to state media reports. Following the discussions, the Kremlin announced that Putin had briefed Modi on the progression of what Russia describes as its special military operation. The state TASS news agency reported that this briefing covered the status of the ongoing military actions. Russia has consistently maintained that it is prepared to conclude the conflict only on its own terms. Ukraine has rejected these conditions, dismissing them as an unacceptable demand for capitulation. The diplomatic interaction occurred against the backdrop of significant energy trade dynamics. India, alongside China, stands as one of the largest purchasers of Russian crude oil. These purchases have assisted Moscow in replenishing its national budget since it deployed tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. That invasion triggered sweeping Western sanctions against Russia. Also on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in talks with Putin during the same summit. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters on Russian state television that the two leaders primarily focused on bilateral matters. Their discussion included trade, economic cooperation, and major international issues. However, Peskov noted that the war in Ukraine was discussed only tangentially during their session. The meeting took place in Bishkek, serving as a venue for high-level dialogue among member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The organization includes several major powers and focuses on security, political, and economic cooperation. The presence of both Indian and Chinese leadership highlighted the multilateral nature of the gathering. While the primary agenda items varied between the separate bilateral meetings, the issue of the Ukrainian conflict remained a central topic in the interactions involving Russia. The exchange between Modi and Putin underscored the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding the ongoing conflict. While India maintains robust economic links with Moscow, it has also expressed a consistent preference for peace negotiations. The specific language used by Modi regarding the setback to humanity reflects a broader diplomatic narrative advocating for de-escalation. Meanwhile, the Russian position remains firm on its strategic objectives in the region. No immediate changes to policy or new agreements were announced following the briefings. The focus of the summit continued to shift between regional security concerns and broader geopolitical alignments. The transcripts released by the Kremlin provide insight into the tone of these high-stakes conversations. They reveal a mix of personal rapport and formal diplomatic protocol. As the summit proceedings continued, observers watched for further signals regarding the trajectory of the war and the roles played by third-party nations in seeking a resolution.