Modi Urges Putin to Seek Peace in Ukraine

During a meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to “move away from endless war” and find a resolution to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. This discussion took place during a high-level summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which brings together various leaders from neighboring countries, including notable figures like China’s Xi Jinping and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian.

While Modi and Putin, alongside other leaders, were attending the summit, Modi’s comments regarding the Ukraine situation stood out, especially because they were more direct than his previous statements. He has traditionally avoided endorsing sanctions against Russia and continues to engage with Russia as a key oil partner.

Modi expressed that “every day spent in war sets humanity back,” adding, “we must move away from endless war towards an end to the war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity.” He reiterated India’s support for peace initiatives and acknowledged their previous discussions about Ukraine.

After the meeting, Modi posted on social media about their conversation, mentioning various sectors of cooperation between India and Russia, although he didn’t go into detail about Ukraine.

Putin’s response to Modi’s plea wasn’t elaborated upon extensively. The Russian news agency Tass reported that Putin indicated he sees progress in the situation concerning Ukraine, but his comments largely favored the trade relations with India, thanking Modi for maintaining a strong relationship.

He remarked on the strengthening of Russian-Indian ties, emphasizing the personal touch that Modi brings to their partnership.

Modi’s appeal drew attention in Ukraine as well, where state-affiliated media highlighted his urging for an end to the invasion.

Historically, India and Russia have maintained friendly relations, particularly from the Soviet era, with India relying on Russia for defense technology and diplomatic support. However, since the inception of the Ukraine conflict, Modi has increased Russian oil imports, which has affected relations with Ukraine. Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shown interest in improving ties with India.

In a meeting with Ukrainian diplomats, Zelensky expressed a desire to strengthen engagement with countries like India and China, noting that it is crucial for Ukraine to build relationships, especially to mitigate Chinese support for Russia.

While Modi and Putin were in talks, Zelensky hosted a U.S. diplomatic team, mentioning the discussions as “detained and constructive.” He indicated that former President Trump might consider a visit to Ukraine soon.

Zelensky conveyed that ongoing dialogue between U.S. and Ukrainian negotiating teams is vital and focused on establishing a timeline for potential visits, which he believes would aid in finding peace solutions.