Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday (local time). [AP]
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday (local time). [AP]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine during talks Monday (local time).

Modi met Putin in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, saying India "supports all peace efforts related to this and will continue to do so," and calling for an end to the conflict for the sake of humanity.

"Every day the war continues, humanity in effect takes a step backward, but every step toward peace gives all of humanity real hope for peace," Modi said. "We must move away from endless war and toward ending the fighting and halting hostilities."

Putin responded by saying "thank you very much — we are moving along that path," but made no specific mention of efforts to end the war. The Russian side said Putin briefed Modi after the meeting on the progress of what Moscow calls its "special military operation" — Russia's term for its invasion of Ukraine, which it refuses to call a war.

Modi referred to Putin as "my friend" during the talks and praised economic cooperation between the two countries. He also expressed enthusiasm about Putin's planned attendance at the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Oct. 12 and 13, saying the two nations' relationship would grow even closer.

Putin reciprocated, saying the two countries continue to strengthen their strategic partnership thanks to his "very warm, personal and friendly relationship" with Modi, and expressed gratitude for it.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Western nations including European countries tightened economic sanctions and halted purchases of Russian oil and gas. India, however, snapped up discounted Russian crude that other buyers had shunned under sanctions, making it Russia's largest oil customer — a move Western governments have criticized as effectively bankrolling Putin's war effort.

More recently, Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian energy facilities have left the oil-producing nation facing fuel shortages of its own. Russia has responded by ramping up imports of Indian gasoline to ease the supply crunch.


kate01@heraldcorp.com