Modi urges end to Ukraine war in talks with Putin

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine during their high-level talks in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday. Modi emphasized that the conflict must conclude for the sake of humanity and pledged India's continued support for all peace initiatives aimed at halting the fighting. The meeting took place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where both leaders engaged in discussions that highlighted their evolving strategic relationship. Modi referred to Putin as “my friend” and acknowledged the strengthening economic ties between India and Russia. He stated that these ties are driven by the mutual interest of both nations, underscoring a pragmatic approach to diplomacy. India, alongside China, remains one of Russia’s largest purchasers of oil, a critical factor in sustaining Moscow’s budget amid Western sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to a Kremlin transcript of their conversation, Modi reiterated India’s commitment to supporting peace efforts, stating, “As you are aware, India supports all peace efforts in this regard, and we shall continue to do so in the future.” Modi further expressed his belief that prolonged warfare sets humanity back while progress toward peace offers genuine hope. He called for a shift from continuous conflict to a definitive end to hostilities, emphasizing the necessity of moving in this direction. “We need to move from endless war to an end to the war, to a cessation of hostilities. And we will need to move precisely in this direction,” he said. In response, Putin thanked Modi and affirmed that they were advancing along this path, as reported by Russian state media. The Kremlin noted that Putin informed Modi about the current status of the “special military operation,” Russia’s official term for its actions in Ukraine. However, the Kremlin has consistently maintained that Russia is prepared to terminate the war only under conditions acceptable to itself, a stance that Ukraine has rejected as a demand for surrender. State news agency TASS reported that the discussion included updates on the ongoing situation, although specifics remained limited. During the same summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping also met with Putin. Their talks centered primarily on bilateral matters such as trade and economic collaboration, with only brief mentions of the Ukraine conflict. A Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, revealed that the two leaders addressed the war in Ukraine only peripherally, indicating that the focus of their dialogue was more aligned with broader geopolitical and economic concerns. The meetings reflect a complex interplay of interests among major global powers. While India and Russia have deepened their economic bonds, particularly through energy imports, the political landscape surrounding the Ukraine war remains fraught. India’s position on the conflict appears to balance its strategic alliance with Russia against its diplomatic engagement with other nations, including the United States and European allies. This nuanced approach underscores the challenges of navigating a multipolar world where conflicting priorities often intersect. As the situation evolves, the outcomes of these interactions could shape the trajectory of regional and global politics in the coming months.