Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for an end to the war in Ukraine, stating that the conflict's continuation is a setback for humanity and that New Delhi would support all initiatives aimed at achieving peace. The remarks were made at the outset of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
"Every day that the war continues, humanity is, in effect, set back a step, whilst every step towards peace gives all of humanity real hope for peace," Modi said, according to a Kremlin transcript. "We need to move from endless war to an end to the war, to a cessation of hostilities. And we will need to move precisely in this direction."
Modi, who referred to Putin as "my friend" and highlighted growing economic ties between India and Russia, emphasized that India supports all peace efforts and will continue to do so. India, alongside China, is a significant purchaser of Russian oil, a trade that has helped Moscow bolster its budget since the commencement of its military operation in Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent Western sanctions.
Putin responded by saying, "Thank you very much, Prime Minister. We are moving forward along this path." The Kremlin, however, stated after the meeting that Putin had briefed Modi on the progress of the "special military operation," Russia's designation for its actions in Ukraine. Russia has maintained that it is prepared to end the war only on its own terms, demands that Ukraine has rejected as unacceptable capitulation.
Modi has previously voiced his desire for a peace settlement in Ukraine.