PM Narendra Modi to Vladimir Putin: Must move from endless war towards an end to war

Four and a half years into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to transition from "endless war" to "end of war." Modi had previously raised the issue with Putin in September 2022 and again in a July 2024 meeting in Moscow, emphasizing that peace talks are hindered by bombs, guns and bullets; a solution cannot be found on the battlefield.

During a televised opening remark at their bilateral meeting in Bishkek, Modi reiterated India's support for peace efforts and stated that "every day of war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm. We must move away from endless war towards an end to the war." Modi emphasized that a peaceful resolution to all issues is the call of humanity, and India's message is that of peace, following the traditions of Gandhi and Buddha.

Modi highlighted the strong and successful India-Russia relationship, focusing on national interest and the paramount priority of cooperation for the welfare of both nations. He also noted that trade and economic cooperation are showing positive trends, with a 2.6% increase in trade turnover in the first half of 2026. Furthermore, India is among the leading nations in terms of the number of students studying in Russia, with their number increasing seven-fold over the past decade to nearly 40,000.