PM Modi's peace message from 'land of Gandhi, Buddha’ to Putin over Russia-Ukraine war during SCO meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed India’s call for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The talks marked their first face-to-face interaction this year, following extensive cooperation between the two nations.

Modi emphasized the urgency of ending the prolonged war, stating that every day of conflict undermines global stability and human progress. “We must move away from endless war towards an end to the war,” he said, underscoring that a peaceful resolution is essential for humanity. He framed his appeal within India’s historical and cultural ethos, noting that the “land of Gandhi and the land of Buddha share a single message: the path of peace.” India, he reaffirmed, stands firmly behind all efforts to restore peace in the region.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for Modi to reflect on the strong bilateral ties. He praised Putin’s visit to India in 2023 as “highly successful and truly memorable,” and extended an official invitation for the Russian president to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in India later this year. “Your visit to India last year was highly successful and truly memorable... It is a matter of deep satisfaction for us that our cooperation continues to scale new heights,” Modi said. He expressed India’s eagerness to host Putin and strengthen further cooperation within the BRICS framework.

Putin, in turn, acknowledged the deepening partnership between India and Russia, describing their relationship as a “special and privileged” one. He thanked Modi for his personal commitment to nurturing the bilateral relationship, stating, “Distinguished Prime Minister, this is aided by your special attention to Russian-Indian relations and the business and friendly relations that have been established between us. I am very grateful to you for that.”

The leaders’ exchange in Bishkek reflects India’s longstanding policy of advocating dialogue and diplomacy in international conflicts, even as it maintains strong strategic and economic ties with both Russia and Ukraine. The SCO summit, attended by leaders from member states including China, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations, served as a platform for broader discussions on regional security and economic cooperation.

India’s stance on the Ukraine war remains consistent with its position at the United Nations and other multilateral forums, where it has repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution and humanitarian support for affected populations.

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