Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, saying continued fighting was a setback for humanity.
Speaking during a meeting with Putin in Kyrgyzstan, Modi referred to the Russian leader as his “friend” and highlighted the strengthening economic relationship between India and Russia before turning his attention to the war, which has continued for years.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on Monday. Putin appeared tense at the start of the meeting and was seen repeatedly tapping his feet.
Modi said the human cost of the conflict made an end to the fighting increasingly important.
“Every day that the war continues, humanity is, in effect, set back a step, whilst every step towards peace gives all of humanity real hope for peace. We need to move from endless war to an end to the war, to a cessation of hostilities,” Modi said.
He added: “And we will need to move precisely in this direction.”
The Indian prime minister also reaffirmed his country’s support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which began in 2022.
“India supports all peace efforts in this regard, and we shall continue to do so in the future,” he said.
Putin thanked Modi for his position, replying: “Thank you very much, prime minister. We are moving forward along this path.”
India remains one of the largest purchasers of Russian oil, providing Moscow with an important source of revenue despite extensive Western sanctions imposed over the war.
The Kremlin has maintained that any settlement must reflect Russia’s terms, a position Ukraine has rejected as unacceptable.
According to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, the Kremlin said Putin also briefed Modi on the progress of what Moscow continues to describe as its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a “detailed and constructive” discussion with US President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He said the sides were working towards finalising dates for a planned visit by the US representatives to Kyiv.
Modi has previously advocated peace in the conflict but has generally avoided directly condemning Russia for its actions.
During Putin’s December 2024 visit to India, Modi told him: “India is not neutral. India has a position, and that position is for peace. We support every effort for peace, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with every initiative taken for peace.”
Putin is also expected to travel to New Delhi in September for a summit of the BRICS bloc.
Despite renewed diplomatic calls for peace, fighting between Russia and Ukraine has continued, with both sides carrying out drone attacks against energy facilities and warehouses.
Ukrainian officials said Russian forces launched overnight strikes on military and energy infrastructure in Kyiv and Odesa, as well as areas around the two cities.
In Kyiv, the attacks reportedly killed eight people and injured five others, while fires broke out in several locations around the capital, according to the city’s emergency service in a statement posted on Telegram.
Ukrainian officials said the wider attacks left at least nine people dead.
