Modi Urges Putin to End Ukraine War at SCO Summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to work toward ending the war in Ukraine during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday, August 31, 2026. The meeting, which lasted nearly 30 minutes, focused on the Ukraine conflict and the broader trajectory of India-Russia relations. Modi told Putin that India supports all peaceful efforts to resolve the conflict and called for a shift from "endless wars to the end of war." He emphasized that a peaceful resolution to all issues is the call of humanity and the message from the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha. "Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm," Modi said, according to a readout of the meeting. He added that India has consistently discussed the issue of Ukraine and will continue to support all efforts toward peace. Putin responded by highlighting the strengthening of bilateral ties, noting that relations are built on the basis of a "special and privileged partnership.